'May be MS Dhoni should've batted at 1' - CSK coach Stephen Fleming jokes after the skipper is not needed to bat

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) arrested their losing streak on Sunday and managed to defeat the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) in Dubai. After conceding 178 with the ball, their openers Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis played chanceless knocks to leave the opposition bowlers frustrated. The duo added a record unbeaten stand of 181 runs to help CSK win by 10 wickets.

No wonder CSK coach Stephen Fleming was delighted with the proceedings in the middle. However, the man was clearly not happy with the team when they were fielding. His reactions were captured on camera after certain misfields which suggested that CSK were under pressure coming into this game. However, when the partnership was going strongly, Fleming was smiling and even went on to crack a joke while speaking to the commentators.

During the CSK’s innings, Sunil Gavaskar asked him that if his team wins the match without losing a wicket, he will finally not have to answer a question about MS Dhoni’s batting number. However, Stephen Fleming joked while responding to it that even then a question will be asked about the CSK skipper opening the innings.

“It (Question) will still come up maybe he should have batted at 1. I am prepared for it every time I have a press conference but it will a nice situation to have it yes,” CSK head coach said.

Stephen Fleming was earlier irked with the same question

After CSK’s previous game against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Stephen Fleming was irked with the question of Dhoni’s batting number. The latter had batted at number five while Kedar Jadhav was sent ahead of him at four. Fleming was visibly irritated with the question.

“Really? Is that a question? He is our No.4, Dhoni primarily is a middle to back-end player. Kedar Jadhav is our No.4, he plays dual roles, if we get off to a good start he might move down and let Dhoni up. If you lose early wickets then your No.4 batsman goes in, so you can’t keep,” he had said.