Even as his side attempts to balance continuing to support the experience of veterans and handling transition, Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has backed their traditional style of emphasising the wisdom of their senior players.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s clash with fellow league laggards in , Fleming insisted that he continues to believe in ’s formula of banking on experienced players on the other side of 30.
“I don’t care how old the players are. The experience has served us really well over the past years that we have had. It hasn’t worked out quite well for us this year. I assume it could be a bit of form, it could be strategy, it could be a number of things that just don’t quite work out. The competition is very even,” Fleming said.
With injuries hampering ’s season, the team opted for an uncharacteristic overhaul by roping in young players such as Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis and Urvil Patel, all of whom have put in impressive performances to provide hope for the upcoming years.
“The fact that we have been so consistent over a number of years to have a poor year has shaken everybody. It is understandable given the excellence with which the franchises are operating. The challenge for us is making sure that we go over everything that we are doing and have done in the past, to make sure we are keeping up with the philosophies, but also identifying talent.”
Fleming admitted that young players have taken over the league’s batting charts with their fearless brand of cricket with franchises also catering to the experience factor.
You have a look at the top run scores and wickets. It seems to be a bit of experience there. But what it’s sprinkled with is some amazing performance by young players who are playing sort of fearless cricket, so it’s getting that balance right, but most importantly, it’s getting the player and the personnel right,” the Kiwi added.
