Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming wants to recreate the dominance the franchise had before getting suspended for 2 years. Fleming played for CSK in 2008 and later joined the team as a coach in 2009.

The former Kiwi cricketer has seen the journey of CSK and knows what exactly they need to maintain their image. “We will try and recreate some of the success that CSK had in the first eight years,” he said. “Everything is very familiar...right back to the first hotel where we formed our friendships and got a lot of success as a team. 10 years on there is a lot of history,” added the 44-year-old.

He lauded Dhoni and also said that CSK has been a major part of his career. “Chennai and CSK have been a big part of his career,” Fleming added. “And his determination now to recreate what was very special for us in the first eight years is high on his motivation. A great player to be involved with, we do have a good relationship born out of the time together, successes and experiences as well,” he said.

Fleming said the yellow brigade is excited to play their first game against rivals Mumbai Indians. “We are looking forward to it already. It’s been the venue for some great clashes between the Yellow and Blue shirts,” he added. 

CSK has a balanced side and Fleming thinks the mixture of young and experienced player will be helpful for them. “It’s obviously a balanced side, a good mix of experience and young players who are coming through. Be it Harbhajan Singh and Shane Watson or Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar. CSK has gone on to do great things and we value that.The return of Murali Vijay is a good example that we value experience,” he pointed out.

Flaunting the strength, he talked about the all-rounders and spinners they have along with a strengthened batting line-up. 

“There is a lot of all-round skills in the side and a lot of options, some great spinning options, pace options and a very good batting line-up.We have all three facets of the game covered,” Fleming said. “Spin is the key. If you look at our side we are very strong in spin bowling skill sets and we have also put a lot of faith in young Indian pace bowlers.”

“And we have also got Lungi Ngidi and Mark Wood for that bit of extra pace depending on the conditions,” he signed off.