IPL 2019: Stephen Fleming Reckons CSK Struggle in the Powerplay Overs
May 8, 2019 at 3:53 PM
Following a six-wicket loss in the IPL 2019 eliminator at M.A Chidambaram Stadium against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Tuesday night, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming conceded that yellow brigade hasn’t been up to the mark during the powerplay overs.
In the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), CSK had an appalling start as they could post 16 for one in the powerplay overs in the curtain raiser of the IPL.
Overall, CSK averaged 37 runs in the first 36 overs throughout the ongoing season while managing to go past 50-run mark on two instances.
It becomes pertinent to point out that CSK has played most of the home games at sluggish-looking Chepauk surface.
Watson’s dismal show with the bat continues:
The New Zealand veteran urged players to pace the innings in a bid to gain the momentum in the first six overs. But, Watson’s wretched run has further made things miserable for MS Dhoni-led side.
Despite 96 against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Watson had been most often at the receiving end which subsequent dent CSK’s chances at the top.
Stephen Fleming on CSK lacking in first six overs:
He reiterated it’s important to make things count in a bid to allow their bowlers to defend the total or post the respective match-winning totals.
“Yeah, it [pacing the innings] is tough. There’s the problem we’re finding – we’re so far behind in the powerplays. We’re doing things right from overs 6 to 20, the run rate today I think was 7 and [then] 10 [in the last six overs]. We’re getting the right runs there, [but] we are just finding ourselves behind in the powerplays,” Fleming revealed in the post-match presentation.
Fleming maintained 40 runs off first six overs would somehow serve the cause. He added they’ve lacked in the first six overs.
IPL 2019: Stephen Fleming Happy With Anything Around 40:
Well, the flurry of quick wickets has further put CSK on the backfoot against Indians in an eliminator.
“But we need to have more balance in the first six – around 40 would be nice. That may get you to a score of 150-160 which can be a match-winning score. We’re just falling behind at different stages. But it’s the first six that’s holding us back when we lose wickets,” Fleming stated.
Fleming reckons there’s always a risk if you’re supposed to attack during such tough conditions of the game. He hinted the powerplay overs could boost the team if things went solely in their favour. He maintained the cautious approach could prove beneficial in such circumstances.
“You run the risk if we over-attacked in the middle in those conditions. You can find yourself bowled out for 100. So you’ve got to have an element of safety,” Fleming inferred.
Now, CSK will play qualifier second on May 10. Besides, they would be keen to retain the title.