Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming said captain MS Dhoni is in a very good head space leading into the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Fleming said the extended break from the game has done Dhoni a world of good, adding that the great wicketkeeper batsman is feeling mentally fresh and determined to perform.
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The opening match of IPL 2020 on Saturday (September 19) against defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) will be Dhoni's first game of competitive cricket since the last year's World Cup semi-final.
The 39-year-old bid farewell to his illustrious career for India last month and has been getting ready at training for another challenging IPL campaign in UAE.
“It has been no different. He’s very fit and mentally, he’s been very engaged and determined," Fleming said in a pre-tournament interview to CSK's official website. “In some ways, the break can work for the experienced and older players that we have. MS is fresh and ready to go."
Often referred to as the 'dad's army' by the naysayers, three-time champions Super Kings are once again backing their experienced, 35-plus cricketers to deliver the goods.
"Experienced players identify key times and that’s why they’ve done so well in their careers. They can turn games, absorb pressure or just sum out the situation. That’s what experience is about and that’s why we value it so highly," said Fleming.
“And that’s why we’ve been able to get over the line in so many close games because the key player has been one with a lot of experience. And you also mix that with skill. You are conscious of having a skilful side and adding youth when we can and with that get the balance pretty right."
A winning start will provide a much-needed confidence booster at the beginning of the event, but up against will be the MI, who defeated CSK in every game, including the final, last season.
“The first game is always full of anxiety, nerves and excitement, and CSK-MI has added extra excitement and pressure and we enjoy that," said Fleming. "We’ve earned the right to play the first game by playing well last year, and given the way the final finished last year, it’s nice to have another crack at MI."
“They (MI) are a very good side and it gives you a good gauge as to how the pre-season has gone and the areas that need improvement. You get a good idea after the first game as to where your team is sitting."
Fleming said given the league is being played outside India this time, it will require greater adaptability from surface to surface across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Even though traditionally slow, each playing arena will still pose a unique challenge.
“I see this season is going to be very different tactically," he said. "With no real home ground advantage here, we’ve got to be very good at adapting to the conditions in each ground."
“We’ve got three different grounds to assess and each ground has its own character and nuances and we’ve just got to be good enough to pick the right team and get the right game plan to match that. It’s like every game is an away game."
“It’s one of the challenges of having to travel to Abu Dhabi, we’ve got to have to be very good on the day to have to assess the wicket and pick the right combination. One of the big challenges for IPL teams is to get the combinations right."
“Picking the right side for the right conditions is one of the great challenges and we’ve got a good record at that. But I must admit, going to Abu Dhabi without seeing the wicket or assessing the conditions is going to be one of the big challenges to start with," Fleming added.
(Inputs from PTI)
