CSK Struggling Without Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Admits Stephen Fleming

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have made the worst possible start to their IPL season. The franchise lost two out of their three matches and are clearly struggling to get among runs. South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has bore the brunt for scoring runs for CSK. Head coach Stephen Fleming lamented that the team is struggling without the services of Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu.

Rayudu had made a bright start to the IPL 2020 season by playing a match-winning knock. While Raina, the second highest run scorer in the IPL, had to pull out due to personal reasons. Fleming said that the franchise is missing some key players like Rayudu and Raina in terms of big contribution and balance they gave to the side.

“We are missing some key players and we’re trying to find a balance that makes us competitive. Our batting line-up, without Rayudu and Raina, we are trying to find a way or a combination on how to use players. We give players opportunities early on so we know exactly what we have got as the tournament goes on,” Fleming said.

“We have always got too many batting options. But we are a little bit muddled. So we need to be a little clearer with what we’re doing.

“Perhaps, we are missing those bigger contributions at the top. There are a lot of question marks and a lot of soul searching in terms of the coaching point of view, strategy point of time. We are trying to find combinations. To keep shunting the order all over the place is not our style but we have had a go at it and review how it’s gone.,” he added.

Chasing a target of 176 runs against Delhi Capitals, CSK were restricted to 131/7 in the stipulated 20 overs. Murali Vijay and Shane Watson once again failed to give the franchise a head start.

Du Plessis again looked to anchor the innings and did best of his ability. Kedar Jadhav played a cameo. While the knock from captain MS Dhoni once again ended on the disappointing side with Ravindra Jadeja too failing to get going.