CSK’s Powerplay Struggles Cost Them Against Rajasthan Royals, Says Fleming

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming pinpointed powerplay struggles as the main reason behind their six-run defeat to Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Sunday. He admitted that CSK lost momentum early in both innings, making it difficult to recover.

While Rajasthan blazed to 79/1 in the first six overs, CSK could only manage 42/1. Chasing 183, CSK slumped to 5/1 in the first three overs due to fiery short-ball attacks from Jofra Archer and Tushar Deshpande.

"If you analyse the game, it's probably the two powerplays that made the difference," Fleming said after the match in Guwahati. "Our powerplay with the ball went for 79 runs, while we managed only 42 with the bat. That’s the major difference, and we were also sloppy in the field compared to Rajasthan."

Despite Royals struggling this season with only one win in three games, CSK has faced similar woes, losing twice in 48 hours. Fleming acknowledged that adapting to a new squad combination has been a challenge.

"At the start of a three-year cycle, finding rhythm is tricky, especially when we are pushing hard to find form but making mistakes in the process," he explained. "We weren't great in the first six overs, but the next 14 were outstanding. There’s potential, but we still have work to do."

Brilliance from Nitish Rana & Hasaranga

While RR's performance wasn't flawless, individual brilliance stood out. Nitish Rana's explosive 81 off 36 balls and Wanindu Hasaranga’s 4/35 proved game-changing.

Fleming praised their efforts, saying, "Rana batted superbly, countering bounce and seam well. Hasaranga got crucial wickets, and the turning point was Riyan Parag’s catch to dismiss Shivam Dube."

MS Dhoni’s Batting Position & Team Resilience

With CSK’s batting unit struggling, questions arose about MS Dhoni’s role. However, Fleming defended his lower-order positioning, citing workload management.

"MS understands his body. His knees aren’t what they used to be, so he judges when he can contribute best," he stated. "From around the 13th-14th over, he is ready to go depending on the match situation."

Despite the setback, Fleming remains optimistic. "I was frustrated with the last game, but this time, we were in the fight. We need to be resilient and bounce back quickly. We’ve won one out of three, and the competition is open. Our response to this loss is crucial."

CSK now hopes to regroup at home, aiming for a more familiar pitch to play to their strengths.