What had initially supposed to cause unrest and a rift in the dressing room have now become probably the biggest factor behind Rising Pune Supergiant’s march to the final of the Indian Premier League this season.
There were rumours about Rising Pune Supergiant being an unsettled unit as a result of decisions the franchise had taken before the start of the tenth edition of the season. MS Dhoni was unceremoniously sacked as the captain of the side and was replaced with Steve Smith, who had become sort of a public enemy due to his conduct in the Border-Gavaskar series.
Fast forward a couple of months, the Supergiant are on the cusp of history. They are just one win away from lifting the IPL 2017 trophy and two men who have played a big part in the remarkable turnaround after a dismal last season when they had somehow avoided the wooden spoon are Smith and his predecessor MS Dhoni. While there is no denying that Smith has done really well as a captain, one cannot undermine the contribution of Dhoni. From setting the field, advising youngsters to give tips to Smith, the former India skipper has been in thick of actions this seasons.
Right through the tournament, the players have lauded Smith and Dhoni’s partnership and now head coach Stephen Fleming has acknowledged it. The former New Zealand skipper credited both Dhoni and Smith for working really well with each other.
“They’re both fine leaders with their performance,” Fleming said. “It’s just good communication between the two of them. They have been outstanding. Much has been made of their relationship but certainly sitting with them it’s nothing but influential to the younger players and beneficial for the senior players and for me. It has been a great dynamic to be a part of.”
Speaking about his experience of working with Smith, Fleming, who had forged a highly successful coach-captain association with Dhoni, said that he has enjoyed it thoroughly.
Fleming will be keen to win the title on Sunday when his side take on Mumbai Indians on Sunday (May 21). The Supergiant have defeated the two-time IPL champions thrice this season including the first qualifier but the coach is under no illusion that it will be a herculean task to beat the Rohit Sharma-led side once again.
“This is the first time I am working with Steve and I have enjoyed it thoroughly,” he said. “From a leadership point of view, we have a big challenge ahead, but we’ve faced a lot of challenges throughout this tournament and we’ve faced them well. We’re quietly confident, pretty much like our entire campaign where we have flown under the radar and done things quietly.
I don’t think we’ll do anything different when we get up If we get up cause there’ll be a couple of wily foxes [Mahela Jayawardene and Rohit Sharma] who’ll be trying to stop us. They’re well awake now,” added Fleming.
Speaking about his role, Fleming said the summit clash has posed no specific challenges since most of his work has been done when he was busy assembling the side before the auctions.
“Most of the work is done at the start of the tournament and at the auctions when you decide on how you want to play and the players that you want,” Fleming said.
“Then obviously you bring the team together and find the right combination. but if you’re lucky enough to find that in time, then it pretty much rolls along itself. The finals should ideally be a time when you sit back because if you’re in the finals things must’ve gone right at the start. You don’t have to start over analysing and make changes because it might not be beneficial to the team. From my point of the team, it’s pretty much sitting back and enjoy the view.
“It’s a great event, finals. And two of the most consistent teams are there and some great players on show. From a coach’s point of view, just a good seat in the house,” he concluded.