From being the first team to be knocked out last season, Chennai Super Kings have turned their fortunes around by becoming the first team to qualify for the playoffs in IPL 2021. But according to head coach Stephen Fleming, the seeds of his success were sown only last year.
"I think I mentioned at the time, we were really proud of the way we finished [in 2020]," Fleming said after the Super Kings defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday. "We won four [three] games in a row and started to gain a little bit of momentum together. In the first half of the tournament, a lot of things went wrong, and our form and confidence were really low. But the way we finished was really It was encouraging, and it really gave us a first look at what we could be.
"When we were analyzing it, we thought we were probably a few places away from being competitive enough. In fact, even though it was a bad year, we were only a good win away from making the semi-finals [playoff] So we gained more confidence from it than others.
"We knew it was only in certain positions that would make us a balanced side. And then it was just about creating a style of play that was going to suit us and then just absorbing it and playing it once. We got players - Moeen Ali was one in particular - and our boys were fit and ready to go, and Suresh [Raina] was back, it was just creating an atmosphere that was positive and making sure There was no doubt about that."
Moin was picked by the Super Kings in the February auction for Rs 7 crore (US$959,000). The main reason for signing him was because he wanted someone to inspire him in the middle overs. Moeen has done the job perfectly in that phase, scoring 217 runs at a strike rate of 149.65. In fact, only Faf du Plessis (435) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (407) have scored more runs this season than Moeen's total of 278.
Another thing that has fallen for the Super Kings is Dwayne Bravo's death-bowling form. Last year, Bravo went for 9.12 runs per over at death; This time he has given only 7.22. Fleming said that competing with Sam Curran for the all-rounder's spot in the playing XI helped Bravo rediscover his mojo.
"Sam was excellent for us in the first part," Fleming said. "And Dwayne Bravo is back now, he's the champion, so there's some really good competition around that all-rounder's spot. Ideally that's what you want, two very good players competing for one spot and one- Getting the best out of the other. Maybe [there could be] a chance where they both play together.
“We are really impressed with the way Bravo has responded to the challenge. He is back at his best; his bowling at death has been excellent, and that simply means the definition of the role of the bowling group Very clear."
If there is any concern for the Super Kings, it is Raina's form. He started the season with 54 off 36 balls against Delhi Capitals in Mumbai, but has since crossed 20 only once in nine innings. Fleming, however, backed him to do well in the upcoming games.
About Raina, he said, "We have got a very clear role for him." "He has an optimum timing that we want him to bat, and we have the luxury of having a player who can come and be aggressive. So it's getting the time right with him and his surroundings." Managing the batsmen.
"We value his experience and we think he's got a part to play through the middle, which is an area we've recognized we can build a force on. Suresh is an experienced player, who has played a little bit. Have earned C exemption. I hope their performance improves as the tournament continues."
So far, the Super Kings have won all their four games in the United Arab Emirates, but are still not assured of a top-two finish, which will give them two shots in the final. Fleming indicated that he may try to manage the workload of some players over the next few games, but there won't be much change in the team.
"I'm not big on speed, speed can be as fast as you have it," he said. "So we're not really talking about it. But what we've probably been afforded is an opportunity to manage the workload a little bit better. We have a day and then we travel to Abu Dhabi. And then another day, another game.
"So we'll definitely talk about how we can manage our players, making sure we manage the team we played today and also the opportunities for those who are on the border. That's why we Now that luxury is afforded, but we won't be too experimental."