IPL 2020: Faf du Plessis may open the batting in upcoming games for CSK, hints Stephen Fleming 

Du Plessis has shown some really fine form in the first two games for his team.

By Kashish Chadha - 23 Sep, 2020

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming hinted towards the possibility of veteran batsman Faf du Plessis being asked to open the innings in the upcoming games of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020. 

Du Plessis, 36, has shown some really fine form in CSK's first two matches of the tournament, making two consecutive half-centuries, a 58* in the win over Mumbai Indians (MI) and a brilliant 72 in defeat versus Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Sharjah this Tuesday (September 22). 

Read Also: "All I had to do was give him the strike", Smith lauds Samson's brilliance

And with Ambati Rayudu, Dwayne Bravo injured, Fleming said the team management feels the need to play around the options a lot more in order to strengthen their top six. 

"Yeah maybe keeping in mind we had a couple of injuries, like Ambati Rayudu today just before we left for the game. So we had to shuffle a little bit but it's early days. So we are just finding out how to drive this car," said Fleming, replying to a query by ANI during a virtual post-match presser. 

"There could be some movement but right at the stage, we got yet another game in quick succession. We are playing three in six days. We gonna make sure we do not panic as we never do and take whatever positives we get out of this game," he added.

The coach also explained why skipper MS Dhoni came out at No.7 in the difficult chase of 217, below Sam Curran, young Ruturaj Gaikwad, who replaced Rayudu, and also Kedar Jadhav. Dhoni made a 17-ball 29* but CSK needed more to be able to pose a greater challenge. 

"We were expecting good things. MS (Dhoni) is a specialist towards the end of the innings, always has been. Curran was there to keep us ahead in the game. He has good hitting power and it was just the first game for Ruturaj," said Fleming. 

"We just wanted to be aggressive. We got a long batting order and just try to use our resources smartly," he added.

Super Kings next take on Delhi Capitals (DC) in Dubai on Friday (September 25). 

By Kashish Chadha - 23 Sep, 2020

TAGS