NEWS
Follow UsChennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming on Thursday said that the team is not desperate for changes in the middle-order after losing three matches in a row and was confident that they will do better in the play-offs.
CSK's middle-order has managed to score 167 runs in the last three games at a strike rate of 105 with the likes of Moeen Ali, MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, Robin Uthappa and Ambati Rayudu unable to build on the platform laid by in-form openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis.
"You have to be concerned when you lose three games in a row. Batting first, coming to grips with setting a total, I think it has been a little tricky going around the venues trying to find the target scores," Fleming said after their six-wicket defeat against Punjab Kings.
Fleming said that the batting is capable of turning things around as they head into the playoffs.
"I am not overly worried going forward going forward because it can change very quickly. You always get a couple on the way...In my experience, it has always been the case. We have a little bit of leeway," he added.
CSK batters struggled on Thursday against Punjab Kings as they managed 134/6 in 20 overs at Sharjah with Du Plessis scoring a 55-ball 76.
"We could not find a method to get any fluency into our batting, trying to find the best way to take the bowling on...It was probably a bit slow. Getting the pace of the wicket and trying to find the tempo to create a score. We just came up a short. Whenever we get close, we lose a wicket. It was a much pretty stunted effort in the first innings to keep us below par," he added.
When asked if vice-captain Suresh Raina will be available for the play-offs, Fleming said: "I am not sure really on Suresh...with regard to his injury status."
He said that the team will not look to replace Robin Uthappa with an extra bowler as they have a balanced XI.
"Considering we are batting below par, not really. The balance is really good with the six bowlers that we've got. This tournament is difficult and we have different rhythms at different times, we have struggled to come to grips with the Dubai surface in the last couple of games," Fleming said.
Despite the resounding win, Punjab Kings' play-offs chances remain slim as they need Rajasthan Royals to beat Kolkata Knights Riders to move into the top-four. Pacer Chris Jordan admitted that its tough to see the team in a bad situation.
"It's really tough (to be fifth in the table). We have been trying for these big wins since the beginning of the season and it has come very late for us. I can see all the amazing things we have been doing so far, so its difficult," Jordan, who claimed 2-20 in the match, said.
Jordan praised captain KL Rahul for his imperious knock of 98 not out off 42 balls which took Punjab over the line in 13 overs.
"KL is a world-class batsman. Its always joy to watch him bat. I saw how talented he was when we were playing for RCB and today he was very aggressive and that took us to the win like we planned," he said.
CSK can be pipped to the second position by Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday if they beat table toppers Delhi Capitals.