In the wake of another defeat, making it seven losses in nine matches this IPL season, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) coach Stephen Fleming pointed to the auction as a potential root cause of their poor performances. After failing to post a competitive total against Sunrisers Hyderabad, they were dismissed for 154, losing by five wickets.
“It is hard to say we got it completely right with the performances that we have had,” Fleming admitted, contemplating on CSK’s tactical approach and acknowledging the evolving nature of the game itself. He appreciates their long-standing record of consistency, recognising that maintaining it is a challenge. “Other teams have got better and that is the point of the auction. But we just haven’t been able to get it right.”
In an attempt to rectify their auction missteps, CSK has been experimenting with players in unconventional roles. Ravindra Jadeja has taken a place higher up the order, while Shivam Dube is trying his hand as a finisher. R Ashwin has been used during the powerplay, and veteran MS Dhoni has been tasked to extend his innings despite the physical challenge at 43. “So you take responsibility from the top down,” Fleming emphasised, “and then you just ask a little more of the players.”
CSK’s struggles are evident, as they find themselves at the table’s bottom in terms of run rates and boundary counts while nearly topping dot-ball percentage stats. Fleming debuted Dewald Brevis, alongside promoting Ayush Mhatre to open, reflecting their struggle to establish a stable team composition like in past successful seasons. “The auction is a very fluid beast,” Fleming described. “It’s like buying [for] 25 hours and see it come away at the end of it mentally and sometimes physically exhausted.”
Key injuries and inconsistent form have compounded CSK’s troubles, with frequent team changes reflecting attempts to find a winning formula. “We’ve chopped and changed too much,” Fleming noted, acknowledging the internal reflection required. “A lot of responsibility and soul-searching and it certainly starts with me at the top, 100%.”
The debate persists whether CSK’s traditional strategies need revision amidst a shifting landscape. Despite contrasting team philosophies, Fleming questions the extent of the game’s evolution. “I’m a believer that the game hasn’t evolved that much,” he stated, defending strategic consistency amid prevalent chaos where high-risk, boundary-oriented play is praised. With time, which approach proves successful remains to be seen.
