MS Dhoni not definite No. 4 this year, reveals Stephen Fleming

MS Dhoni not definite No. 4 this year, reveals Stephen Fleming

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CSK

Stephen Fleming has revealed that MS Dhoni will be used more as a floater for CSK this year, and his position will not be fixed at number four like the past year. The presence of a fit Kedar Jadhav, who only played one match last year, has allowed the batting order to be more flexible.

Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming has said that Kedar Jadhav's return will mean that captain MS Dhoni's position in the lineup will change this year. Batsman Kedar Jadhav only played one match for CSK last year owing to his hamstring injury, however, this year he is expected to take up the finisher’s role this year, which relieve some pressure for Dhoni.

With respect to Dhoni, who generally plays for India at number 5, is expected to play more of a floater role this year. Dhoni was in great form last year scoring 455 runs with an average and strike rate of over 75 and 150, respectively, while remaining unbeaten for 9 times. He also started this year with three consecutive fifties against Australia, and was also exemplary with his glove work

“Dhoni batted pretty much (at) No. 4 last year but we do use him in a little bit of a flexible role, so that won’t change. His (Dhoni’s) form has been outstanding in the past 10 months. We have a new player as well (Kedar Jadhav) which is great. So, we’re really happy with the (batting) order and the thoughts around that,” Fleming said, in a media conference organised by CSK, reported PTI.

The New Zealander refrained from comparing CSK with other teams in the league, however, he credited his team’s culture for last year’s memorable triumph, and implied that they look to improve upon their strengths and weaknesses .

“We tend not to do it (compare). Because if you start looking at other teams, you’re trapped away from what’s good or bad of your own. There’s enough great players with each side, so it comes down to mindset, team environment and culture and winning big moments,” the 45 year old said.

“Last year, we just won big moments. We’re just big on team culture and empowering the players to make decisions and win big moments. And last year was a snapshot of that,” he added.

CSK was written off by most of the analysts and experts last year, citing the age of the majority of their players, with most of them being over 30. However, the team silenced their critics with a dominating performance of 11 wins in 16 matches. 

“Even though the ‘young’ man (Kedar Jadhav) was only with us for one game, he played a huge part in winning that game with Bravo. And Faf du Plessis and Watson at the end. And the usual suspects like Dhoni and Raina,” the former New Zealand captain said, commenting on his players’ match winning performances in the previous edition.

The three time champions have their bases covered in the spin department, with ace spinners like Imran Tahir, Karn Sharma and Harbhajan Singh, add to that, another player who makes his return after missing last year’s edition, Mitchell Santner. However, their fast bowling department, especially after the injury of South African Lungi Ngidi, might come to haunt them.

“Yeah, Mitch has a got a great record in the subcontinent, which is why it is good to have him. We obviously missed him last year, so again it’s like a new signing,” he said.

"Chennai still has a role for the pace bowlers. We are conscious of a good balance. Imran Tahir is in good form, Karn Sharma and Harbhajan with his experience, we’ve got most of the bases covered and it’s just about getting the guys to perform and sitting on our game plan, especially at home but when we play away as well.”

The 2019 edition of IPL begins with CSK squaring off against RCB on March 23 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

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