Fleming vows strong comeback for CSK next season

Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming said that the management will leave no stone unturned in their preparations for the next season as a dismal IPL 2022 comes to a close.

CSK, who came into the tournament as the defending champions, have won only four of their 13 matches so far and are second from the bottom above Mumbai Indians. On Sunday, the four-time champions recorded their ninth loss of the campaign against Gujarat Titans, the joint-highest losses in a single season.

Fleming said that the management are grooming players for the long term.

"There are lot of pieces in the jigsaw puzzle we are trying to figure out. Players just don't form in a day, it's all about the role of a play. We will leave no stone unturned for the next year," the former New Zealand captain said at the post-match press conference.

CSK were taken aback by the Ambati Rayudu's retirement from the IPL on Saturday as the batter took to Twitter to make the announcement before taking it down after consulting the management. When asked if it was a disappointing turn of events, Fleming said the episode had no effect on the dressing room.

"It was not disappointing to be honest, it was a storm in a tea cup. It was fine because it hasn't anything in the camp," he said.

Fleming was also impressed with debutant pacer Matheesha Pathirana. The Sri Lankan, who shares a similar action to that of T20 legend Lasith Malinga, picked up 2-24 which included the wicket of Shubman Gill off his first ball.

"We were looking forward for him to play. He is very young and we know the similarities he has (with Malinga) which are big shoes fill. He had a great debut and he has unique skill," Fleming said.

Gujarat Titans remained top of the table with one game to spare as Wriddhiman Saha led the chase of 134 with an unbeaten 67 off 57 balls. Team's batting coach and mentor Gary Kirsten heaped praise on the Bengal keeper-batter who has been in sensational form with 281 runs from 8 innings at an average of 40.14.

"We have been obviously very impressed. It is great to have him in the team. He is a real professional. And he has got good experience in the IPL and in all of cricket. He understands his game and plays really well in the power-play. For us, he was always an important asset to have when we needed him and he has come in and done really well," Kirsten said.

Pacer Yash Dayal also hit top gear on Sunday as the left-arm pacer gave away just eight runs in the penultimate over to restrict CSK to 133/5 in 20 overs.

"Yash Dayal is an incredibly talented young player, to have a left-armer in your bowling who can bowl across all the 20 overs is important. So this is a great opportunity for us to use him in the 19th over and he bowled a great over, went for eight runs and that is real confidence for him," Kirsten said of the youngster.