Watch- Stephen Fleming blows up CSK's top-order while defending middle-order
Published - 25 Apr 2025, 10:50 AM | Updated - 25 Apr 2025, 02:54 PM
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With the subtle sarcasm, Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming exposed the entire batting order in a single sentence ahead of his team’s next IPL 2025 clash with Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday (April 25) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Chennai Super Kings’ senior players haven’t been contributing much with the bat lately, and that’s created chances for young talents like Shaik Rasheed and Ayush Mhatre to move up and take spots in the top three in the ongoing IPL 2025.
Stephen Fleming’s one-liner exposes Chennai Super Kings' batting woes in IPL 2025
With Ruturaj Gaikwad out due to injury and players like Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, and Rahul Tripathi not performing well, the top-order problems have only gotten worse for CSK. The situation has also put extra pressure on the middle order, which hasn’t been able to step up regularly either.
During the pre-match press conference in Chennai, a journalist questioned the performance of the middle order by saying, “Middle order struggling to score big numbers? What is the reason behind it?” To which Chennai Super Kings head coach’s one-line answer is trending across social media.
With his trademark calm and wit, Stephen Fleming paused and asked in a reconfirming tone, “Middle order?” When the journalist reaffirmed, “Yes, middle order,” Fleming dropped a truth bomb that silenced the room: “And top.” And fans can’t get enough of Fleming’s no-nonsense attitude.
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Journalist : Middle order struggling to score big numbers ? What is the reason behind it ?!
— Pujara’s Kiki (@FlyingSlip_) April 24, 2025
Flem: Middle order?? (In Reconfirming tone)
Journalist : Yes Middle order !
Flem : and Top
Fleming Saab 😭😭pic.twitter.com/UV6dKgeFl5
CSK experiments with youth, but Stephen Fleming eyes a balance, not an overhaul
Meanwhile, CSK, known for backing experienced players, is taking a fresh route this season by giving youngsters a chance. With their first-choice stars struggling, the five-time IPL champion team has brought in new faces like Mhatre, marking a shift from their traditional style.
But Stephen Fleming said that it’s all about balance, as he believes in mixing youth with experience, focusing more on a player’s mindset than age. For Fleming, the right attitude matters most, not how old a player is. But he denied bringing in young blood for the next season.
The coach noted, “It's not all about youth; it's not all about guys being too old. It's somewhere in the middle where you get a mix of experience, and you also get players who are fearless. You've just got to make sure that the right temperament is in the player, and I'm not worried about how old they are. But I guess, have one eye to the future.”
Stephen Fleming says IPL is still bossed by experience, but hails young guns
Well, Stephen Fleming admitted that young players bring energy and play without fear, but stressed that experience still plays a big role in the IPL. He feels that players who can handle pressure and adjust to different conditions across India tend to do better.
However, Stephen Fleming is also impressed by the new talent coming in and the bold style of play many youngsters have shown over the past few seasons.
Fleming signed off by saying, “It just seems that the IPL is bossed a little bit more by players who have a bit more experience and can navigate more situations than perhaps a young player who plays just one way. But I am very aware of the talent that is coming through. I'm very aware of the fearless nature in which they are playing, and that has been the case for the last two or three years.”
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