Chennai Super Kings (CSK) coach Stephen Fleming on Wednesday (April 28) showered rich praise on Ravindra Jadeja, stating that the all-rounder is close to the peak of his powers in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).
Jadeja put on a show with the bat in CSK’s resounding 69-run victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) earlier this week.
See Also: Ravi Shastri praises Ravindra Jadeja after his all-round performance against RCB
Batting at No. 5, the southpaw had smashed 62 not out off 28 deliveries to propel CSK to a mammoth 191/4 before returning with the bowling figures of 3/13 in his four overs to restrict RCB to 122/9.
The highlight of Jadeja’s dazzling knock was his assault on Harshal Patel in the last over of CSK’s innings. He had whacked Harshal for 37 runs, including 5 sixes and a four.
"We don't have a leadership group. He (Jadeja) is a key member of our side and he is without doubt close to the peak of his powers, that last game we all saw, I don't think we can ask for much more. He is working very hard, doubts were around his lack of cricket coming into the tournament."
"He trained very hard, and he is one top player in the world in any format and we are lucky to have him right now in his prime. He forms the core of the middle order and allows a lot of options within the team," said Fleming while replying to a query from ANI.
Meanwhile, Super Kings registered their 5th victory in 6 games this season with a seven-wicket thrashing over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Wednesday and thereby returned to the top of the points table.
Chasing 172 to win, openers Ruturaj Gaikwad (75 off 44 balls) and Faf du Plessis (56 off 38 balls) added 129 runs for the opening wicket as CSK overhauled the target with 9 balls to spare.
"To be honest, he (Ruturaj) is really self-sufficient. He is really low-key. We have got some players who bat for a long time. He is really efficient with what he does. He has got a strong purpose about what he needs to do. He is simple in his game plan," Fleming said.
"The batting is anything but simplistic, but his method and the way he trains is really refreshing. He knows his ability, and he keeps it very simple. We can't speak more highly of him," he further said.
"We have rated him (highly) for a long time. One of the setbacks he was having with COVID last year created a little bit of delay in (us) introducing him at the right spot. But now, he is there and has established himself. He is a fine Indian talent. We are really excited about having him and what he is doing for us," Fleming added.
Ruturaj and Du Plessis are having a great time in the ongoing IPL. Before this game, they had formed 74 and 115-run partnerships against RCB and KKR respectively.
"I am very happy with the way in which Faf and Ruturaj are playing. The way in which they are doing it is very pleasing. It is easy on the eye; it is somewhat low risk, and it is very effective up to this point," said the CSK coach.
"There is still pressure; it is not as if the pressure goes away, but confidence grows. We were just hoping that Rutu (Ruturaj) would find some form and get a score because we had no doubt over how good he is. So yeah, we are very happy with that opening partnership. No doubt about that," he further remarked.
Chennai Super Kings will take on Mumbai Indians in their next game on Saturday (May 1).
