CSK Coach Stephen Fleming Admits Team’s Struggles: ‘Deserving of Bottom Spot in IPL 2024’
In a candid post-match press conference in New Delhi, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming acknowledged that his team’s position at the bottom of the IPL 2024 points table is a fair reflection of their lackluster campaign. With only one match remaining in their season, CSK have managed just three wins, a stark contrast to their storied history as five-time IPL champions.
‘No, we obviously don’t like being down there in the points table. Our aim was to string together a couple of strong performances towards the end, but now we’re just hoping for one good game to finish on a positive note. It’s probably fitting that we’re at the bottom,’ Fleming remarked after CSK’s recent six-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday evening. ‘We’ve played that type of cricket this season, and you can’t shy away from the reality.’
The match against Rajasthan Royals exposed CSK’s recurring struggles, particularly in the death overs. Despite a promising start that hinted at a total beyond 200 runs, CSK faltered, finishing at a modest 187/8. Rajasthan’s bowlers, with their pinpoint yorkers and disciplined execution, restricted CSK to a mere 17 runs in the final three overs. Key batsmen Shivam Dube (39) and the legendary MS Dhoni (16) fell in the last over, unable to provide the late surge needed.
Fleming didn’t mince words when addressing the team’s batting woes, pointing out structural issues in the lineup. ‘Our lower order isn’t functioning as we’d like right now, and that’s a concern we need to address. We’ve got some strong plans for next year to ensure all facets of the team are covered. This season, however, we’ve struggled due to a lack of runs at the top,’ he explained. ‘Our batting positions depend on a good start, which we haven’t had. Instead, we’ve been patching together innings rather than building them methodically.’
As CSK prepares for their final game of the season, the focus is on salvaging pride and identifying areas for improvement. With a legacy of dominance in the IPL—having won the title in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023—seeing the Yellow Army languishing at the bottom is a bitter pill for fans to swallow. Yet, Fleming’s honesty suggests a determination to rebuild. ‘What we want is to put in a much better performance in our last game, one that truly reflects the potential of this team,’ he concluded.
For now, CSK’s IPL 2024 journey serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, where even the mightiest can fall. As the team looks ahead to the next season, fans will hope that the lessons from this campaign fuel a stronger comeback for the Chennai Super Kings.