IPL 2025, LSG vs CSK: In the pre-match press conference, Chennai Super Kings' head coach Stephen Fleming said that cricket isn't a baseball competition and there is still an importance of craft and traditional stroke-making.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00The first part is it's a big challenge, there's no doubt about it.
00:06So we've got to look at it in small steps and just continue to work to get better at all three facets really.
00:14And then you start competing.
00:17I think the disappointing aspect in particular the last game was the lack of competition we put up.
00:23And that hurt 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.
00:35And it's important that we put a performance out that is representative of the proud franchise that we are.
00:42So yeah, 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,
00:49finding form, finding their groove, and almost shaking off any apprehension which can creep in when you're just searching for a performance.
00:58So yeah, we're working really hard on what we think we need to do.
01:02What do you think has stepped up?
01:04Oh, Tony's stepped up. Ruto's injury was bad but MS has stepped up.
01:08His influence will be always prominent but he hasn't got a magic wand.
01:18He can't just rub it over the side otherwise he would have brought it out earlier.
01:22It's a case of us working very hard along with MS to turn it around.
01:26And certainly in both of our cricketing careers we've been in situations that require a lot of energy
01:33and we've got to make sure that the energy is put in the right place.
01:36Often you can get consumed with things that actually don't matter.
01:39So drawing it all down and just making sure we're concentrating on the right things
01:43has probably been the key for the last couple of days.
01:46This will be last time. Like you're not coming?
01:50Not sure.
01:52Yeah.
01:53Because one of the questions don't reach after the last one.
01:56Please go ahead.
01:57Stephen, one of the issues that he has in the last five games has been like
02:02it's been the sixth inning from the top order.
02:05Where do you think the issue with that?
02:07Is that just a lack of confidence, you know, with the freedom of loss?
02:10Where do you find the issue there?
02:12Because you have to do that lower in the sixth inning.
02:15We do but it's not everything.
02:17I know there's a fascination with power in the sixth inning.
02:20But there's also a couple of teams doing well with good craft.
02:24And I'd be very sad if the day came to us just being like a baseball competition
02:28and talking about sixes and fours.
02:31The beauty of the game is there's still balance between bat and ball
02:35and in some cases there's not.
02:38So I'm loathe to get into it too much.
02:41I love the skill and the ability to do that.
02:44It's phenomenal from an athlete point of view.
02:46But from the good of the game, balance is still really important.
02:50Our game in Chennai, the last game was tricky.
02:54They hit two or three when they were batting second innings.
02:57But for our boys, whether it's a lack of confidence or intent, it's not that easy.
03:03So it's not just to lay down the air that you can turn up and just hit sixes.
03:06Some players are playing absolutely fearlessly.
03:09And whether that's inconsistent or consistent, the tournament will tell.
03:13But conditions play a big part.
03:15But there's still room for craft.
03:16And you're still seeing top class players playing pivotal innings
03:20when it's not flat like a road.
03:23And I just hope the balance can remain.
03:26Because while it's great to watch and the skill set we admire,
03:30the game is still about a balance between bat and ball.
03:34Sir, is Shivan to be fine?
03:36Because the last game, he went up before the last ball.
03:40Yeah, we were a bit worried.
03:41But I think it was a little bit of cramp.
03:43So he travelled well.
03:46And he looks to be moving okay.
03:48So we're hopeful that there won't be another injury.
03:51You guys have seen the same players, young players.
03:54So is there any chance in the tournament you guys can use them?
03:58Yep.
04:00Yeah, certainly everyone's in consideration.
04:03You would have to say the plans we started out with have turned 90 degrees
04:08in direction, maybe 180.
04:10So we're looking at all possibilities.
04:13And we're not averse to that at all.
04:22Stephen, how do you consider the power of Nikola Spuren?
04:25Is that threatening for Chinese luking?
04:28Yeah, it's very threatening.
04:31I think he's the best player in the world at the moment by some distance.
04:35He is consistent, he is powerful and he's a real threat.
04:39And you can't say anything otherwise.
04:42To get him out and get him cheaply will be a big part of winning the game tomorrow.
04:46So there will be a fair bit of attention on how to shut him down and also how to get him out.
04:52But he's playing very well.
04:54Have a great day.
04:55Very well.
04:57team.
04:58Thank you very well.
04:59Thank you very well.
05:01Thank you, Ben klack activ4018.
05:04KLEAK twitter819.