NEW DELHI: Following Chennai Super Kings' six-wicket defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2024 match, head coach Stephen Fleming attributed the loss to the absence of key pacers like Matheesha Pathirana and Mustafizur Rahman.
"Without a doubt (If missing Pathirana and Mustafizur affected the outcome). Having injuries and losing players in an IPL is part of the process," Fleming acknowledged during the post-match press conference.
He expressed regret over the team's reliance on makeshift options, like introducing Mukesh Chaudhary, who endured a tough outing, conceding 27 runs in a single over to Abhishek Sharma.
"We had a chance to introduce Mukesh Chaudhary today. It was not his day. But that is part of the IPL, managing players, and finding the new hero," Fleming remarked.
The coach also highlighted missed opportunities in CSK's batting performance, particularly in the crucial powerplay phase.
"The first five or six overs were the best to bat, and the aggressive way in which they played showed that. So, being able to get a wicket first over and maybe shut down the second, it could have been a competitive score, but maybe 15 short," he explained.
Fleming's reflections underscored the challenges posed by injuries and the need for adaptability in the dynamic environment of the IPL.
Despite the setback, he expressed confidence in the team's ability to bounce back and emphasized the importance of improved performance in crucial phases of the game.
(With inputs from ANI)The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
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