IPL 2017: Inability To Handle Pressure Led To MS Dhoni's Sacking? RPS Coach Stephen Fleming Responds 1

Rising Pune Supergiant coach Stephen Fleming has rubbished reports suggesting that MS Dhoni was removed as the skipper of the team because he was finding it tough to handle pressure.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s unceremonious sacking was one of the biggest talking points before the tenth edition of the Indian Premier League. While there is no denying that the franchise went through a torrid time in its inaugural season when it finished a lowly seventh in the eight-team tournament under Dhoni but his sacking was harsh and totally uncalled for.

The most decorated captain in the history of Indian cricket, the World Cup-winning skipper is also one of the most successful captains in the history of India’s premier T20 league. He led the now-suspended Chennai Super Kings to two back-to-back Indian Premier League titles, two Champions League T20 title, six Indian Premier League final and so it was absolutely shocking to see him getting replaced with Steve Smith as the captain of the team. The decision of the franchise faced severe criticism from the fans and former players.

 

And amidst all the speculations about who was responsible or what was the reason behind Dhoni’s sacking, a report suggested that the team’s head coach Stephen Fleming had played his part in Dhoni’s removal as Supergiant skipper because the former New Zealand skipper felt Dhoni could not handle pressure.

“We lost seven games by a close margin under MS Dhoni’s captaincy in IPL 2016. Dhoni was not able to focus on finishing the games for the side. This is why the decision to remove him as captain was taken,” Fleming was quoted as saying in the reports which earlier surfaced.

However, Fleming, who was CSK’s coach since 2009 before it was suspended, took to Twitter to say that the quote is fabricated and he said nothing of that sort about Dhoni.

The former Kiwi star was referring to this article.

Meanwhile, the Supergiant have made it to their maiden IPL final by registering a 20-run win over Mumbai Indians in the first qualifier on Tuesday (May 16). Dhoni played his part brilliantly, scoring a quickfire 40 to steer his side to 162 for 4 before the Supergiant bowlers restricted the Mumbai Indians to 142 for 9.

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