‘We don't mess with things that are going well’ - CSK coach Stephen Fleming gives his straightforward take on tinkering with batting order

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming provided a straightforward take on promoting hard-hitters up the batting line-up. The statements come after CSK endured a loss at the hands of Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 32 runs at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Thursday, April 27.

For the uninitiated, Rajasthan posted a humongous first innings total of 202 runs, courtesy of Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 77 off 43 balls. The Royals were further aided by Dhruv Jurel’s blazing cameo (34 off 15 balls), whereas Devdutt Padikkal scored a brisk 27* off 13 balls.

In response, Ruturaj Gaikwad hit the ground running as he notched up 47 off 29 balls. However, in-form batters in the likes of Devon Conway and Ajinkya Rahane, too, failed to inject momentum and were sent packing for scores of eight and 15 runs, respectively. On that note, the CSK coach had a straightforward response to a query, asking if the think tank should add power hitters up the order.

“The set roles are very important. [Ajinkya] Rahane has been great for us at No. 3. We don’t mess with things that are going well. It was just today we came up against a team that took the pace off the ball. We couldn’t get any real momentum in the first six overs,” Fleming told in the post-match press conference.

“Devon Conway, who is in outstanding form, couldn’t get underway. The rhythm of the innings was slow. When we tried to catch the game up, we made mistakes,” he added. 

Powerplay set the innings up for them: Fleming

In the midst of the chase, a disciplined Royals bowling unit helped restrict CSK to mere 42 runs in the powerplay (1-6 overs). The head coach, Stephen Fleming further acknowledged that the home team made the most of the powerplay overs which essentially set the tone of the clash.

“The first six overs, they were outstanding with the bat and the ball as well. That just set the two innings up for them. We could have been better, but part of that is playing away from home - trying to find out the right length to bowl, what sort of swing conditions we are going to get. That’s part of the challenge of playing away,” Fleming concluded.