Stephen Fleming on CSK’s six-hitting woes: Cricket isn’t a baseball competition

India Today

IPL 2025, LSG vs CSK: In the pre-match press conference, Chennai Super Kings' head coach Stephen Fleming said that cricket isn't a baseball competition and there is still an importance of craft and traditional stroke-making.

Transcript

00:00The first part is it's a big challenge, there's no doubt about it.

00:06So we've got to look at it in small steps and just continue to work to get better at all three facets really.

00:14And then you start competing.

00:17I think the disappointing aspect in particular the last game was the lack of competition we put up.

00:23And that hurt a lot. So there's certainly been a lot of internal soul searching but also a lot of work around what we need to do.

00:35And it's important that we put a performance out that is representative of the proud franchise that we are.

00:42So yeah, there's a lot of hurt that we can turn to motivation but it's not about words, it's about players grabbing the moment,

00:49finding form, finding their groove, and almost shaking off any apprehension which can creep in when you're just searching for a performance.

00:58So yeah, we're working really hard on what we think we need to do.

01:02What do you think has stepped up?

01:04Oh, Tony's stepped up. Ruto's injury was bad but MS has stepped up.

01:08His influence will be always prominent but he hasn't got a magic wand.

01:18He can't just rub it over the side otherwise he would have brought it out earlier.

01:22It's a case of us working very hard along with MS to turn it around.

01:26And certainly in both of our cricketing careers we've been in situations that require a lot of energy

01:33and we've got to make sure that the energy is put in the right place.

01:36Often you can get consumed with things that actually don't matter.

01:39So drawing it all down and just making sure we're concentrating on the right things

01:43has probably been the key for the last couple of days.

01:46This will be last time. Like you're not coming?

01:50Not sure.

01:52Yeah.

01:53Because one of the questions don't reach after the last one.

01:56Please go ahead.

01:57Stephen, one of the issues that he has in the last five games has been like

02:02it's been the sixth inning from the top order.

02:05Where do you think the issue with that?

02:07Is that just a lack of confidence, you know, with the freedom of loss?

02:10Where do you find the issue there?

02:12Because you have to do that lower in the sixth inning.

02:15We do but it's not everything.

02:17I know there's a fascination with power in the sixth inning.

02:20But there's also a couple of teams doing well with good craft.

02:24And I'd be very sad if the day came to us just being like a baseball competition

02:28and talking about sixes and fours.

02:31The beauty of the game is there's still balance between bat and ball

02:35and in some cases there's not.

02:38So I'm loathe to get into it too much.

02:41I love the skill and the ability to do that.

02:44It's phenomenal from an athlete point of view.

02:46But from the good of the game, balance is still really important.

02:50Our game in Chennai, the last game was tricky.

02:54They hit two or three when they were batting second innings.

02:57But for our boys, whether it's a lack of confidence or intent, it's not that easy.

03:03So it's not just to lay down the air that you can turn up and just hit sixes.

03:06Some players are playing absolutely fearlessly.

03:09And whether that's inconsistent or consistent, the tournament will tell.

03:13But conditions play a big part.

03:15But there's still room for craft.

03:16And you're still seeing top class players playing pivotal innings

03:20when it's not flat like a road.

03:23And I just hope the balance can remain.

03:26Because while it's great to watch and the skill set we admire,

03:30the game is still about a balance between bat and ball.

03:34Sir, is Shivan to be fine?

03:36Because the last game, he went up before the last ball.

03:40Yeah, we were a bit worried.

03:41But I think it was a little bit of cramp.

03:43So he travelled well.

03:46And he looks to be moving okay.

03:48So we're hopeful that there won't be another injury.

03:51You guys have seen the same players, young players.

03:54So is there any chance in the tournament you guys can use them?

03:58Yep.

04:00Yeah, certainly everyone's in consideration.

04:03You would have to say the plans we started out with have turned 90 degrees

04:08in direction, maybe 180.

04:10So we're looking at all possibilities.

04:13And we're not averse to that at all.

04:22Stephen, how do you consider the power of Nikola Spuren?

04:25Is that threatening for Chinese luking?

04:28Yeah, it's very threatening.

04:31I think he's the best player in the world at the moment by some distance.

04:35He is consistent, he is powerful and he's a real threat.

04:39And you can't say anything otherwise.

04:42To get him out and get him cheaply will be a big part of winning the game tomorrow.

04:46So there will be a fair bit of attention on how to shut him down and also how to get him out.

04:52But he's playing very well.

04:54Have a great day.

04:55Very well.

04:57team.

04:58Thank you very well.

04:59Thank you very well.

05:01Thank you, Ben klack activ4018.

05:04KLEAK twitter819.

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