IPL 2022: Stephen Fleming Explains Why CSK Is Training In Surat Instead Of Mumbai

Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming explained the reason behind the squad’s training in Surat, a city in the Indian state of Gujarat. The IPL 2022 league stage will be held across Mumbai (55 matches) and Pune (15 matches) as the BCCI wants to avoid the risk of air travelling amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most of the teams have reached Mumbai and have already started with their training drills at different training facilities. However, the four-time IPL champion CSK has set up their training camp in Surat, which is approximately 278 km away from Mumbai (via road).

The challenge obviously in Mumbai is that all teams are training there: Stephen Fleming

CSK head coach Fleming explained that training facilities in Surat are valuable for them and since all teams opted to train in Mumbai, the Yellow Army decided to train in the textile city of Gujarat.

“The challenge obviously in Mumbai is that all teams are training there. So, we felt coming to Surat and having conditions similar in terms of the red soil and the climate. It’s not too far away and is similar to what Mumbai would be. But to have this ground to ourselves and to be able to have open wickets and long net sessions has been very valuable,” Fleming said on CSK Podcast.

“It’s good. They’ve been training well for the last week, so it’s nice to join them finally. And it’s good to be out in good facilities. So it’s been good,” the coach further said.

We lost a couple of players: Stephen Fleming

Indian speedster Deepak Chahar, who was bought by CSK for a whopping sum of INR 14 crores, sustained a hamstring injury during the final T20I match against West Indies.

Chahar was subsequently ruled out of the Sri Lanka series and if reports are likely to believe then the 29-year-old pacer will miss the major part of IPL 2022. Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was integral in CSK’s title triumph last year as he scored 635 runs from 16 matches, sustained a wrist injury. The franchise will wait for an update on the Maharashtra player’s fitness and will take a call accordingly.

Fleming said that they have many talented players in their ranks and the team management will examine the youngsters for the next four years.

“We’re really happy it went according to plan. We lost a couple of players which we are a bit sad about, but we’ve gained some real talent as well. We’ve got, this year, a good blend of experience and youth. So it’s with a view to another three, four year cycle. So we’re really excited about the way the auction went down,” he said.

CSK, who are the defending champions of IPL 2021, will take on their fellow finalists Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2022 opener on March 26 at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.

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