Follow UsChennai Super Kings (CSK) have been one of the worst sides in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, having won only three of their 12 encounters. CSK have always relied on experience and it’s one of the major reasons why they have five IPL titles. However, most of their senior players have been in terrible form in the IPL 2025, but that won't stop their head coach, Stephen Fleming, from banking on experience going forward.
"No, I don't care how old players are. I do like experience though, experience has served us really well over the proud years that we've had. It hasn't worked out quite well for us this year and that could be a bit of form. It can be strategy, it can be a number of things, that just don't quite work out,” said Fleming ahead of the match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on May 20 (Tuesday).
"The competition is very even, so the fact that we've been so consistent over a number of years, to have a poor year has sort of shaken everybody, but it's understandable given that, the excellence in which the franchises are operating in. The challenge for us is making sure out of this that we do go over everything that we are doing now and have done in the past to make sure we are keeping up with the philosophies (of the time), but also identifying talent.
"It's one thing to say we want a team full of young players, but you've got to find them. So it's identifying talent and making sure they fit in. To the experience which I'll say again, I do like it and you have a look at the, the top run-scores and wicket-takers and you see there's a fair bit of experience there, but what it's sprinkled with is some amazing performances by young players who are playing sort of fearless cricket."
The likes of Devon Conway, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi, R Ashwin and Deepak Hooda have all been below par, but in Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, Noor Ahmad and Dewald Brevis, the Super Kings might have found three players who could serve them for years to come. "They have certainly had an impact which is positive from a season that has been a challenge,” added Fleming.
“But we realised that early on that we were off pace. So to be able to introduce these players, they are definitely in line for the future as we regenerate the team and redevelop or reconfirm our philosophy of how we want to play. So it's getting that balance right. But most importantly, it's getting the player and the person right, and that's what we've been looking for."