Mumbai: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming admitted Sunday after the IPL-XI final that his franchise experienced a difficult time during the two-year ban from the tournament and his players were tremendously motivated to win the title.
“It was difficult two years for the franchise. The desire to get back to the competition was high. It was sustainable to keep winning throughout. The players were motivated (to win),” Fleming said after his side beat Sunrisers Hyderabad to clinch the title.
“I am proud of how different individuals stood up at key times. I am proud the way experienced players showed their way. We believe experience coming back into the competition was going to be a key component. There were lots of emotions in the franchise for what had happened, there was a lot of reasoning behind this team,” Fleming added.
Fleming said the consistency brought by the likes of captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina also played a major part in his side’s campaign.
“We value experience for consistency, guys who keep doing it and not one-offs. The (Mahendra Singh) Dhonis and (Suresh) Rainas take you deep into the tournament,” asserted Fleming.
He also admitted that it was a tough battle in the initial overs. “It was a good struggle, the opening spell was outstanding from Sunrisers. It was good that Shane (Watson) hung around to get his rhythm and range. He has been a star performer for us,” the New Zealander pointed out.
The coach also said that communication and defining roles were important for his team. “We needed to look at characters, (Ambati) Rayudu was a character who I valued. Dhoni was open about batting him top of the order and we conveyed him that. So we were clear in our communication,” Fleming stated.
There were doubts about Shane’s fitness. I though did not have any regarding his impact on the tournament
Stephen Fleming