IPL 2020: ‘People expect MS to do what he’s done in past, it doesn’t happen like that’ says CSK coach Stephen Fleming

IPL 2020: ‘People expect MS to do what he’s done in past, it doesn’t happen like that’ says CSK coach Stephen Fleming
MS Dhoni (L) with Stephen Fleming

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has hit out at people criticising CSK skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni after he came out to bat at No. 7, when they were chasing a massive target of 217 against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the third clash of 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020) on Monday (September 21).

Fleming said that everyone expects Dhoni to come out and start hitting the big shots but it doesn’t happen every time.

“MS is one of the players that hasn’t played much cricket in the last year-and-a-half. Everyone expects MS to come out and do what he has done in the past. It doesn’t just happen. It takes a bit of work,” Fleming said ahead of CSK’s next match in IPL 2020 in Dubai against Delhi Capitals.

“… a part of his process of getting up to speed is his game time and that (match against RR) was really the first time that he’d batted in the middle apart from a couple of balls against Mumbai Indians,” He added.

Dhoni will just get better and better: Fleming

Talking about Dhoni’s batting, Head coach Fleming said, “As the tournament goes on, he’ll just get better and better. To come in and expect him to get a 30-ball 70 would be a tough ask and we’ve other players also who are in good form and can do a job.”

“So, it’s valuing what each player can do and also respecting Dhoni is one of a kind when he’s in form and has been playing,” he added.

The Yellow Army skipper sent up IPL debutant Rituraj Gaikwad and young England allrounder Sam Curran ahead of him in the chase of 217 runs in Sharjah.

Although, coming into 14th over, the veteran cricketer scored just 10 runs off his first 13 balls while Faf du Plessis was seen playing a blistering knock of 72 runs which includes seven sixes.

Dhoni, who announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15th, smashed three successive sixes in the final over but the team lost the game by 16 runs.

Nevertheless, the three-time IPL winning captain would be hoping to do better for his team in their next game against Delhi Capitals (DC) on Friday.

Also Read: IPL 2020 Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals fantasy 11 prediction: Top Dream11 picks for CSK VS DC