IPL 2019: CSK coach Stephen Fleming feels playing four foreign players is not necessary

The defending IPL champions, Chennai Super Kings have had a rousing start to their 2019 campaign as they have registered two wins in as many matches so far. CSK have defeated RCB and DC in their two games and so far, have done it with just three foreigners in their playing eleven. They are currently playing against the Rajasthan Royals at home where all the focus ahead of the game was on the pitch.

Chennai Super Kings haven’t been hurt a lot by the loss of their two overseas fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi and David Willey. Ngidi has been ruled out of the IPL due to an injury, while Willey pulled out of the tournament due to personal reasons. But this hasn’t been an issue for the MS Dhoni-led side. Coach Stephen Fleming shed more light on their decision to go in with three overseas players only.

It is not a compulsion

“We value all the players in the squad, regardless of whether they are overseas or local players. We have got some good options. Mohit Sharma is still to play. He is coming back from a back injury. We don’t have a tall fast bowler who gets bounce like Ngidi could. Kuggeleijn has got pace, which is something a bit different,” Fleming was quoted saying by Sportstar.

Chennai has been playing with just three overseas players in Dwayne Bravo, Shane Watson, and Imran Tahir. Tahir and Watson have already done their bits in the two wins, as the former picked 3/9 against RCB and the retired Australian cricketer won the Man of the Match award for his 44 against DC. Speaking on the pitch was presented for the season opener, Fleming termed it as an aberration.

“It depends which way you look at it. We have made a side based on Chennai’s history, which is a slower track. What we saw the other night was an aberration. We don’t look at the squad based on overseas or Indian players. You don’t have to necessarily play four overseas players. We are really happy with the quality of Indian players we have,” the former Kiwi cricketer added.

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