After his team’s six-wicket defeat at the hands of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming on Friday (April 5) attributed the loss to the absence of key pacers like Matheesha Pathirana and Mustafizur Rahman.
"Without a doubt (If missing Pathirana and Mustafizur affected the outcome). Having injuries and losing players in an IPL is part of the process," Fleming said during the post-match press conference.
He rued the team's dependency on makeshift options like Mukesh Chaudhary, who was taken to the cleaners by Abhishek Sharma. The SRH opener smashed Mukesh for 27 runs in his only over, including two boundaries and three sixes.
"We had a chance to introduce Mukesh Chaudhary today. It was not his day. But that is part of the IPL, managing players, and finding the new hero," Fleming commented.
The coach was also not pleased with the team’s batting performance, especially in the crucial powerplay phase.
"The first five or six overs were the best to bat, and the aggressive way in which they played showed that. So, being able to get a wicket first over and maybe shut down the second, it could have been a competitive score, but maybe 15 short," he elaborated.
Coming to the match, the defending champions posted 165/5 on the board after being asked to bat first. Shivam Dube was the top scorer with 45 off 24 balls.
The likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar (1/28), Cummins (1/29) and Jaydev Unadkat (1/29) returned with impressive bowling figures for the Sunrisers.
Chasing 166 to win, the hosts got off to a flying start as Abhishek Sharma took the CSK attack to the cleaners with his blazing cameo of 12-ball 37. The southpaw’s knock was studded with 3 fours and 4 sixes.
Abhishek added 46 runs for the opening wicket with Travis Head (31 off 24) in just 2.4 overs before getting out. After his dismissal, Aiden Markram returned with a measured half-century (50 off 36) to ensure SRH’s victory with 11 deliveries to spare.
It was CSK’s second loss in four games this season. They will next face Kolkata Knight Riders at Chepauk on Monday (April 8).
(With ANI Inputs)
