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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has stated that his team intends to emulate Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) strategy from the previous year as they aim to stage a comeback in the IPL 2025 season. Currently positioned at the bottom of the league table after eight matches, MS Dhoni-led CSK face a daunting task of winning all their remaining games to maintain any hope of qualifying for the playoffs.
We're still hopeful of winning 6 out of 6: Stephen Fleming on CSK's playoff chances
This situation mirrors the one RCB encountered in the previous season, where they did the near impossible and embarked on an improbable winning streak to secure a playoff berth, ultimately defeating CSK in their final league match.
Meanwhile, during the pre-match press conference before their clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Fleming was questioned about MS Dhoni's suggestion of focusing on building for the future if playoff qualification becomes unattainable. In response, CSK coach affirmed that their immediate focus remains on winning all six of their remaining matches and ensuring their best players are ready for the upcoming game against SRH.
"We're still hopeful of winning 6 out of 6, and some will giggle at that, but RCB set a blueprint for that the year before. So while there's still a chance, we have one eye on making sure that we think the best players for this game coming up will play, but we're also aware that if it doesn't work out, that we've got to make the most of what has been a poor season," Fleming said at the pre-match press conference.
"And the work we did a couple of times, we were in this position in the past set us up to win the title the following year. So we're certainly aware of what needs to be done and how we can go about it," Fleming added.
Fleming said that CSK will approach every remaining match and opportunity in the coming weeks with utmost seriousness, with no game being considered inconsequential. He stated that the players are well aware of the critical situation they face. CSK coach also expressed his hope that this heightened pressure and necessity for positive results will foster a healthy sense of competition among the team members.
"And when that time comes, we will make sure there is no stone left unturned to get things right. There won't be a wasted game or an opportunity in the next few weeks, and the players know that as well. And that creates opportunity and creates a bit of competition within. We won't let any time go to waste," Fleming concluded.
After playing eight matches in the current IPL season, CSK possess the lowest net run rate (-1.392) among all ten franchises. Despite this setback, CSK boasts an impressive record of qualifying for the playoffs 12 times in their 16-season history.
Currently holding four points from their eight games, CSK finds themselves six points adrift of the fourth-placed team, Punjab Kings. While their mathematical probability of reaching the playoffs appears slim, there remains a possibility for CSK making it to the final four. This, however, hinges on them winning all of their remaining six matches and relying on favorable outcomes in other teams' fixtures.
Here's CSK's schedule for the remainder of IPL 2025:
April 25: CSK vs SRH, Chennai
April 30: CSK vs PBKS, Chennai
May 3: RCB vs CSK, Bengaluru
May 7: KKR vs CSK, Kolkata
May 12: CSK vs RR, Jaipur
May 18: GT vs CSK, Ahmedabad
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