IPL 2019, CSK, Stephen Fleming, Birthday, Chepauk, Rajasthan Royals, 46th Birthday
Stephen FLeming is celebrating his 46th Birthday on April 1. Photo Credit: CSK.

With an eight-run win over Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Chepauk Stadium, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have moved to the top of the table in the ongoing IPL 2019 season, and they’ve subsequently handed over a special gift to head coach Stephen Fleming on his 467th birthday at the stroke of midnight.

Thala MS Dhoni has not on marshalled his troops well but played a blinder at the home ground.

Batting first, Chennai posted 175 for five in 20 overs before restricting visitors on 167 for eight. Thus, they won the game to win three matches on a trot in the ongoing twelfth edition of the IPL.

CSK bowlers have bowled quite well with Proteas leg-spinner ruling the roost. He alongside Shardul Thakur, Dwayne Bravo and Deepak Chahar bagged two wickets each for CSK.

As soon as the game culminated, CSK players gathered to celebrate New Zealand veteran Fleming’s birthday.

As Fleming has turned 46 on April 1st 2019, his wards Mohit Sharma and Suresh Raina didn’t waste any time while smearing cake on Fleming’s face.

Besides, the players have sung a traditional happy birthday song for friendly Fleming.

While posting a video on official CSK Twitter in which Fleming could be seen cutting a special cake.

“Even our Super Coach isn’t spared from the cake facewash!,” CSK twitter handle captioned the video.

Dhoni slammed 46-ball 75 which included an expensive over of Jaydev Unadkat in which the bowler conceded 28 runs which eventually fires CSK to post a competitive total on the board.

Concurrently, CSk has bagged six points and maintained their fourth-best net run-rate of plus 0.507 owing to the T20 league standings.

In 2009, CSK has roped in Fleming as a coach for the second edition of the IPL. Interestingly, earlier, he started off as a player with the yellow brigade in the inaugural edition of the cash-rich league.

Furthermore, in the first edition of the IPL 2008, Fleming managed to accumulate 196 runs in 10 matches at the average of 21.77. However, he thereon has set the tone for CSK to help them in lifting their major IPL title.

The Christchurch-born Fleming left-handed opener for Kiwis has played 280 ODIs, 111 Tests and five T20Is between 1994 and 2008.

Prominently, CSK has emerged as a crowd favourite team while having a star-studded line-up including Shane Watson and Bravo.

Besides, Dhoni factor has often seen the massive fan-base baking the team which has made it to the most number of the IPL finals.

By going to the stats, Chennai has won their 70 per cent of games at Chepauk which is evident how happy-hunting ground it has emerged for the hosts.

Watch: CSK celebrate Stephen Fleming’s 46th birthday at Chepauk –

Meanwhile, the defending champions will take on Mumbai Indians on April 3 (Wednesday) at Wankhede.

Tahir Ibn Manzoor

Tahir Ibn Manzoor, who tweets @TahirIbnManzoor (https://twitter.com/TahirIbnManzoor) - works as an editor for Sportzwiki.com. He has a great affection for longform feature writing. He completed his masters...