IPL 2019: CSK coach Stephen Fleming understands the importance of rebuilding the team

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) managed to reach their second consecutive final in the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, after becoming the champions in 2018, MS Dhoni & Co. faltered at the finishing line this time around. The Yellow Army lost the Final against the Rohit Sharma-led Mumbai Indians (MI) by one run at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad.

Quite rightly, Stephen Fleming, the CSK head coach, feels that his team had a couple of decent seasons. Nevertheless, he also has at the back of his mind the fact that CSK’s players aren’t spring chickens anymore with the average age of the team being way past 30. Fleming acknowledges that the Super Kings has ageing players and there’s the need for ‘recreating the side’.

“We will give some time for the dust to settle down. I think if you win one title and reach the final next time, you have had good two years. We do understand that we are an ageing team. So at some point, we just have to look at recreating the side, obviously, MS as well,” Fleming was quoted as saying after the final of the season.

Imran Tahir is the oldest player at the age of 40 followed by the likes of Harbhajan Singh, Shane Watson and MS Dhoni himself, all of whom will be into their 40s in a couple of years’ time. Dwayne Bravo, Faf du Plessis, Kedar Jadhav, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Karn Sharma, Murali Vijay and Mohit Sharma are the other CSK players, who are above the age of 30.

A lot of talent has been established in other teams

Fleming went on to mention that the planning for the upcoming season is expected to start after Dhoni returns from playing the World Cup in England and Wales, scheduled to start on May 30.

“He (Dhoni) will be travelling to the World Cup. A lot of talent has been established in other teams. You need to do it carefully and get the balance right, when you try to go for players who you think can deliver for us,” Fleming, also a former New Zealand cricketer, added.

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