Chennai Super Kings are still trying to find the right combination: Stephen Fleming

Stephen Fleming spoke about the constant changes being made in the team in the ongoing season of the IPL. CSK has lost back-to-back games against LSG. But the latest one in their fortress has hurt them, especially due to the fact that they conceded the highest-ever run-chase at home in their history. CSK is still trying to find the best combination in the ongoing season. Fleming addressed the same issue in the press conference after the match against LSG

The head coach of CSK felt that they are still away from finding the right combination. The former Kiwi skipper claimed that the focus is on trying to fix things gradually. "

"It's a mix of trying to find that [the best XI], and also a bit of form. We are a little bit uncomfortable with some areas, so we're just trying to find not a quick fix but try and find the right combination," said Fleming as quoted by Cricbuzz.

CSK has undergone several changes in its lineup. Ajinkya Rahane was promoted up the order against MI and has continued there since then. Ruturaj Gaikwad has benefited from demoting himself to number 3, having scored a fifty and a hundred after Rachin Ravindra was dropped from CSK's XI after having five successive failures with the bat. These are unfamiliar scenes from CSK which is known for backing its players.

Mustafizur Rahman has been in and out of the side due to visa issues. He will fly back home in the next few days. Fleming added that they are looking for candidates who could fill in the big shoes. he claimed that the injuries of some players have not helped them.

"We've got another change coming up with Mustafizur in a couple of games. So we're just trying to prepare a side that will give us a run home. We have had injuries, we have been a little bit unsettled," Fleming added.

Getting Mitchell up the order is more comfortable for him I think: Stephen Fleming

The former CSK player addressed the change in batting positions of Daryl Mitchell. The former Kiwi player felt that it was not ideal to have him out of position, which they had to do as a part of experimentation. He added that having Mitchell up the order was the right call as it was familiar to the Kiwi batter. "But getting him [Mitchell] up the order is more comfortable for him I think, or me putting him down the order in a hitting role wasn't his best position," claimed Fleming.

He further touched upon the unpredictable nature of pitches in Chepauk this season. While it has traditionally been spin-friendly, Chennai has rolled out different kinds of surfaces this season. Fleming felt that one pitch was excellent and others had come out of the box. He hoped for a synergy between the pitch and what they are trying to do. "We've had one pitch which was an excellent one I think, it turned and we won comfortably. Yeah, I'd like more synergy between the pitch and what we're trying to do," added Fleming. 

The CSK coach touched upon the fact that the spinners have not made a huge impact on CSK so far. In the past, spinners were the key weapons of CSK. Fleming felt that the likes of Mustafizur Rahman and Matheesha Pathirana have done well in their roles. But he hoped for the spin department to step up in the days to come. "We've got Pathirana who's a weapon, Fiz has done well when it's slow but the spin department has been made redundant and I'd love it to change," Fleming concluded.