Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are languishing at the bottom of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 points table with five losses from six games. Losing the services of their captain Ruturaj Gaikwad due to an injury has weakened their top order. In the absence of Gaikwad, legendary CSK captain MS Dhoni took over but it did not change their fortunes. Against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at home, they registered their lowest total and lost the match by eight wickets. Ahead of the clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), CSK head coach Stephen Fleming said that Dhoni does not have a 'magic wand' to turn the season around in a moment.
"His [Dhoni's] influence will be always prominent but he's not a soothsayer, he hasn't got a magic wand. He can't just rub it over the side otherwise he would have brought it out earlier," Fleming told reporters on the eve of the encounter in Lucknow.
"It's a case of us working very hard along with MS to turn it around and certainly in both of our cricketing careers, we've been in situations that require a lot of energy and we've got to make sure that the energy is put in the right place."
Fleming opens up on 'disappointing' loss
Fleming is not looking at wholesale changes. He pointed out that it was disappointing the way they lost to KKR. He wants players to turn the hurt into motivation.
"We've got to look at it in small steps and just continue to work to get better at all three facets really and then you start competing. I think the disappointing aspect in particular the last game was the lack of competition we put up and that hurt a lot. So there's certainly been a lot of internal soul searching but also a lot of work around what we need to do and it's important that we put a performance out that is representative of the proud franchise that we are," Fleming said.
"There's a lot of hurt that we can turn to motivation but it's not about words, it's about players grabbing the moment, finding form, finding their groove and almost shaking off any apprehension which can creep in," the former New Zealand captain added.
Fleming on six-hitting fascination
CSK have been the worst scoring side in the powerplay overs this season. Their top order has not been able to follow suit and use the fielding restrictions but Fleming does not want IPL reduced to a baseball-like competition.
"We do [talk about the sixes], but it's not everything. I know there's a fascination with power and six hitting, but there's also a couple of teams doing well with good craft, and I'd be very sad if the day came to us just being in a baseball competition and talking about sixes and fours," he said.
"The beauty of the game is that there's still balance between bat and ball. Conditions play a big part, but there's still room for craft, and you're still seeing top-class players playing pivotal innings when it's not flat like a road, and I just hope the balance can remain."
CSk don't have a good record against LSG. They have won just once, lost three whereas one ended in no result.