NEWS
Follow UsChennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming felt that they are still trying to figure out their squad in order to prepare for the next season with two games to go in IPL 2022.
The former New Zealand captain said that they will be giving chances to youngsters in the team in the remaining two matches.
"We haven't been as good as we should've been, so we are looking for positives. We have two games to give some other guys some opportunities," Fleming said at the post-match press interaction.
After being dismissed for 97 by Mumbai Indians on Thursday, CSK fought back with four early wickets as young pacers Simarjeet Singh and Mukesh Choudhary wrecked havoc with the new ball. Fleming said that the duo will give the more options with the new ball next season.
"Simarjeet and Mukhesh were outstanding today. Simarjeet had made massive gains with the previous games. With Deepak Chahar back in the side (next season), we will have great options with the new ball," he said.
"We are really positive about the next two games. We need to keep looking for positives for the next season. We are still learning about our squad like most teams are," Fleming added.
Fleming said that they were surprised by the bounce and swing on offer at the Wankhede as he felt his team fell short by a big margin.
"It took us by surprise. We seem to nick everything and we didn't have DRS so we didnt get any momentum. The expectations were of a high scoring game and 150-160 would've been a competitive score," he said.
After finishing at the bottom of the table in 2020, CSK came back to win the title in 2021. According to Fleming, the past experiences will help them for the next season.
"There is a small margin between having a great season and not so great season. We have seen it in the past. We are not going to change up too much, but we need improve," he said.
Mumbai Indians debuted young South African Tristaan Stubbs in place of Kieron Pollard for the game. Team's bowling coach Shane Bond said they will look to play young players in the next two games depending on their efforts in the training.
"We want the guys to have more than one game. Even in the position we are, we can't play all 25 members of our squad. We identify players who deserve it through their efforts in the training sessions. We have a couple more games to go and it is up to the players to create that opportunity," Bond said.
MI sent in Daniel Sams at the No.3 slot against CSK which didn't turn out well. When asked if the move was made to protect the youngsters in the batting lineup. Bond said: "I don't think its to shield anyone. Daniel has shown the talent with the bat. If you have seen in the BBL, he came in at No.4 and put in some good performances. The move didn't pay off."
Bond said he had always believed in Sams to come back strongly after being benched for three games following a string of poor performances. After defending eight runs in the final over against Gujarat Titans, the Australian was once crucial with 3-16 against CSK.
"I have a very good working relationship with Daniel since our days at Sydney Thunder. I think he would admit that he was disappointed with his performances early in the tournament but worked hard to come back. His bowling is getting better," he said.
Bond was happy with the improvement shown by his bowlers as he felt that being more aggressive in the past few games is a positive sign.
"As a bowling unit we have been getting better in the last four games. There are a range of factors for that. We had two new teams and we had things about the roles for players and probably were timid at the start of the tournament. We have been aggressive with the ball in the last few games," he said.
