Five-time title-winning captain M.S. Dhoni would not have a magic wand and may’t change the fortunes of Chennai Super Kings in a single day, head coach Stephen Fleming stated on Sunday (April 13, 2025) because the facet endures a horror run within the ongoing IPL.
CSK are languishing on the backside of the factors desk following a string of disappointing performances, and the onus is now on Dhoni to revive the staff’s marketing campaign after taking up the captaincy from the injured Ruturaj Gaikwad.
“His (Dhoni’s) influence will be always prominent but he’s not a soothsayer, he hasn’t got a magic wand,” Fleming advised reporters forward of their match towards Lucknow Super Giants.
“He can’t just rub it over the side otherwise he would have brought it out earlier.
“It’s a case of us working very arduous together with MS to show it round and positively in each of our cricketing careers, we have been in conditions that require a lot of power and we have got to be sure that the power is put in the suitable place.”
CSK’s lacklustre batting has been a major concern this season. In their previous outing, the side was restricted to a paltry 103 for 9 by Kolkata Knight Riders, who chased down the target in just 10.1 overs to inflict an eight-wicket defeat.
Fleming admitted that the team was hurting after a series of underwhelming displays.
“We’ve got to have a look at it in small steps and simply proceed to work to get higher in any respect three aspects actually and you then begin competing,” Fleming said.
“I feel the disappointing facet specifically the final recreation was the shortage of competitors we put up and that harm a lot.
“So there’s certainly been a lot of internal soul searching but also a lot of work around what we need to do and it’s important that we put a performance out that is representative of the proud franchise that we are.”
“There’s a lot of hurt that we can turn to motivation but it’s not about words, it’s about players grabbing the moment, finding form, finding their groove and almost shaking off any apprehension which can creep in.”
Despite CSK hitting 32 sixes in six matches this season, Fleming urged his batters to focus past simply power-hitting, insisting there is nonetheless “room for craft” within the recreation.
“We do (talk about the sixes), but it’s not everything,” he stated.
“I know there’s a fascination with power and six hitting, but there’s also a couple of teams doing well with good craft, and I’d be very sad if the day came to us just being in a baseball competition and talking about sixes and fours.
“The fantastic thing about the sport is that there is nonetheless stability between bat and ball. Conditions play a massive half, however there’s nonetheless room for craft, and you are still seeing top-class gamers enjoying pivotal innings when it is not flat like a highway, and I simply hope the stability can stay.”
Fleming identified Nicholas Pooran as the biggest threat in the LSG line-up, describing the West Indian as the most dangerous player in the world at the moment.
“Yes, he (Nicholas Pooran) is very threatening,” he said.
“He’s one of the best participant on this planet in the meanwhile by a ways — constant, highly effective and a actual risk. To get him out and maintain him in examine will probably be a massive a part of successful the sport tomorrow.”
Published – April 14, 2025 11:25 am IST
