‘Give him time to connect with the team’: Fleming on Samson

BENGALURU: New Zealand stalwart Stephen Fleming has largely been the franchise’s guiding force from the dugout. Since taking charge as head coach in 2009, he has overseen both title-winning highs and lean phases. The last two seasons, however, have tested the five-time champions, with consecutive failures to reach the playoffs and growing scrutiny over auction strategy and team selection. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Fleming believes the side is in a transitional phase. The inclusion of star wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, a key figure in India’s T20 World Cup triumph, is part of that rebuild, though the opener has managed just 22 runs in three games. Fleming though backed him to come good. “It’s difficult when you’ve been at a franchise for some time and even though he probably feels pretty comfortable, there’s still an element of belonging and he’s going through the process of connecting with this team. There’s a little bit of work to be done off the field that we’re doing just that to make the bonds a bit tighter but he’s fine,” Fleming said.