Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming admitted that they deserve to finish at the bottom of the IPL 2025 points table but vowed to come back stronger next season.
The five-time champions are set to finish last behind Rajasthan Royals (RR) to whom they lost by six wickets on Tuesday (May 20) in their penultimate league-stage match.
It was CSK’s 10th defeat in 13 outings this season, certainly not a sight cricket fans are used to seeing.
"No, we don't obviously like being down here, but it's not a motivation. We wanted just a good performance. We're trying to string some performances together. The aim was two good performances (in last two matches).
"Now it'll be one good one to finish. It's probably fitting that we're at the bottom. We've played that type of cricket, so you can't hide away from it," Fleming said in the post-match presser.
The long-serving coach further said they know the road ahead and failure of top-order batters has played huge role in the dismal campaign.
"Our order is not right at this stage, and that is something that we are always looking to reshuffle. We've got some strong ideas for next year, so all those facets are covered. But that hasn't been possible this year because of the lack of runs at the top.
"A lot of the batting positions are determined by how well a start we have, and then guys can fall into line. We haven't had that. So we've been just patching innings up, really, rather than constructing good innings," he explained.
Pacer Anshul Kamboj has managed to leave a big mark this season, and Fleming feels he will be a good asset for India after his selection in A side for the upcoming England tour.
"His speeds have been around 138, 139 (kph). He is deceptive and the ball always seems to hit the gloves harder. His big strength is his length and he just gets the ball to wobble. You saw that today on a reasonably flat wicket and he'll do well on that tour (of England) if he gets conditions that seam a bit and a little bit of swing.
"He'll be an absolute handful. He has got some real potential with both white and red ball. We're happy with his development and the opportunity he has taken this year."
While Fleming spoke highly of Matheesha Pathirana, he called for the Sri Lankan speedster’s further improvement.
"We have high expectations of him, which is why we retained him. But he is coming back into some form. He was really out of form. He's made improvements, but it's still not to where we or he would like. So there's some room for him to get some form and get some confidence. But he's just at that crossroads where batsmen are playing him better."
In his last 10 IPL matches, Pathirana managed to claim 10 scalps and went wicketless in five games.
"They've seen more of him. So now he just has to drill down on what he needs to do to be as effective as what he's been for the first part of his career. It's a unique skill set, but it's been a little bit off," he said.
(With PTI Inputs)
