CSK have lost their first two matches in the ongoing IPL season.
Asked to bat first, CSK posted a formidable 209/5 on the board, thanks to Ayush Mhatre’s 73 off 43 balls and vital contributions from Shivam Dube (45* off 27) and Sarfaraz Khan (32 off 12).
In reply, PBKS overhauled the target in 18.4 overs. The chase was set up by a blistering start from the opening duo of Priyansh Arya (39 off 11) and Prabhsimran Singh (43 off 34), and anchored by skipper Shreyas Iyer (50 off 29).
After the loss, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming said the traditional role of "finishers" in T20 cricket is becoming obsolete because teams are now batting aggressively from the first ball. He also expressed confidence in his side’s resources.
"Look, I don't think there is a thing called finishers anymore. It's right from ball one, everyone is going at a rate of knots. It's not built up to the 16th over and then go harder. Everyone's going hard from ball one," Fleming told reporters.
"So, the run rates of 10, 11, 12 all the way through are what's expected, and you're not really getting the big peaks towards the end. It's just a more aggressive approach to get to 40. So, you actually have to have players all the way through that are going to be aggressive, and that's certainly the team that we've got.
"Keep in mind, we've got Brevis on the sideline, and we've got one of the best finishers in M.S. [Dhoni] who's injured, so there's some power there, but Brevis through the middle. I'm really content with the pace that we can go," he added.
Sanju Samson has struggled in his opening two matches for CSK, scoring only 6 and 7 runs, following a high-profile move from Rajasthan Royals. However, Fleming threw his weight behind the World Cup-winning India batter.
"He's training well, and when he gets going, he's often a match winner and wins games. So, two winnings don't define an area of concern at all," the coach stated.
Fleming also noted that Impact Player rule in the IPL has significantly tilted the balance in favor of batting, encouraging relentless attacking cricket.
"I think with this competition in particular, the impact player rule has a massive part to play. Other tournaments around the world, it's not as frantic as this," he remarked. "I'm not sure how much longer it's here, or if it's here to stay, but that certainly changes the dynamic of cricket and probably sways it a little bit towards batting power."
Fleming highlighted that identifying and securing the right talent has become increasingly challenging as the game evolves.
"Constantly around the world, evaluating what's happening and how guys are playing. One of the greatest challenges in T20 franchise cricket is securing talent. And that, through competitions, is becoming difficult as teams bundle players.
"But we are constantly looking at where the game is going next and trying to secure players that we think will be the next big thing, or where the game will go.
"So again, you say, how long is the impact player rule here? Will all-rounders come back into the game, or will it continue to be a dashes, an aggressive batting style? I don't know. I'd like to see the balance between bat and ball a little bit more. But look, I'm constantly, with others, looking at that and trying to stay as relevant as possible," he concluded.
(With PTI Inputs)