IPL 2018: Stephen Fleming worried about one player from KKR camp ahead of marquee clash

The Chennai Super Kings are soaring high in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League. Needless to concede that the head coach, Stephen Fleming, and the skipper MS Dhoni, are very happy men at the moment. The team has been in the firing range for fielding overaged cricketers. Against all odds, the team has proven that the senior players are working as an advantage for the side.

The senior members of the team, like MS Dhoni, Dwayne Bravo, and Shane Watson, have been performing exceedingly well in the season thus far. Commenting on the same, as per the quotes in Times Now, Stephen Fleming, noted that age is just a number. He reiterated that the senior players are only adding more weight to the team’s chances. Furthermore, Fleming drew the silver lining from the fact that CSK has had close finishes this season.

“Age isn’t really a barrier. I still think the big guys are still have a lot to give. The calmness around the group plays a big part. Yes, we have some youngsters around but under pressure experience counts. There’s not many games where you don’t have pressure,” Stephen Fleming quoted.

“That’s the silver lining. It’s keeping us on the edge and making us uncomfortable about each game which is a good thing from a coach’s point of view. Most times we have put up fight that matched them. If you lose three four games you are down in the bottom, we know that,” the former cricketer noted.

On Lungi Ngidi’s arrival

In the most recent game against the Delhi Daredevils, CSK gave an opportunity to young South African pacer Lungi Ngidi. Ngidi responded in fine fashion to bowl a match winning spell. Now, CSK are set to take on Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata. Commenting on the same, Stephen Fleming noted that the conditions in Kolkata could suit Ngidi and the team has high expectations from him.

“We have been excited about him for a while. He has a massive presence, conditions like the new Kolkata pitch, it would be exciting to see him have a go (at KKR). There is not much time to relax as a bowling unit. We just got to combat the spinners. The spinners are the key weapon for KKR, there is no secret around that. (So we have to) find a way through that. At some point, we have to take a risk so just trying find a way to do that (is the key),” the CSK head coach admitted.

On Robin Uthappa’s form

Furthermore, Fleming admitted that the team is wary of the fact that Robin Uthappa has not had a big score in the season thus far. Knowing his capabilities, Fleming hopes that they dismiss the veteran campaigner early in the game.

“It makes me worried as it means he is due for a big knock. If we can get him early, it’s good for us as he is an aggressive player. I have seen a lot of him and he has played well against us. He is one we would like to get early,” he added.

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