IPL 2019 | Yo-Yo Test has never been part of CSK’s programme, says Stephen Fleming

The current IPL defending champions had surely surprised many with their title run last season mainly because of the ageing group of players that the franchise had opted to go for at the mega-auction. At a time when the Indian cricket scene was dominated by their immense priority on the fitness of the players, CSK’s move looked outdated to many.

However, not only have they proved their critics wrong but also shown everyone that winning mentality triumphs over everything. Coach Fleming explained the team’s fitness regimes and priorities with two days to go before the tournament begins.

“It’s never been part of CSK’s fitness programme. We have enough ways to keep the guys up to speed and the way we wanted them to play. We can only speak from CSK’s perspective. There are certain expectations of fitness which will be met. We have world-class physio and trainer with us. We don’t spend time policing them because we have other things prioritised,” said Fleming as reported by PTI.

“We ensure the players are 100 per cent, mentally and physically. We have only two months, whereas the national team deals with the players the rest of the year. He said, however, the expectation was the players would do their work so that they can meet the standard set by the Indian team. However, I expect the players to do their work so that they can meet the standard set by the Indian team. And I don’t want CSK players to be labelled as underperformers in fitness.”

Another huge debate surrounding the IPL has been the workload management of the players most likely to go for the World Cup that has been scheduled just seven days after IPL will be concluding. England and Australia would be pulling their players out one month prior to the tournament in order to not risk any injuries. 

CSK, quite fortunately, have very little confirmed World Cup players in the squad. Apart from MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav, who are definitely going to England, the likes of Ambati Rayudu and Ravindra Jadeja are just in the mix for the 15-man squad. In the bowling department, CSK don’t have the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, or Mohammed Shami, which would be making it fairly easier for Fleming to sort out the workload management issue.

When asked about it, Fleming agreed to the advantage CSK would be having. He said, “Probably managing the workload of the bowlers will be the only topic of discussion. It will have an influence - but it will be minimal for CSK. Yes, this is going to play a part. The reason I say that is England 18 months ago stipulated when their players will be leaving early - Australia are the same. It has had an impact. 

“When we sit and pick as a team, we were mindful of how many players will be leaving early and what the balance would be like. So, it has had an influence. As far as individual players taking it easy, I have no concerns with that. Certainly from the group of players we have, once you’re involved in a competition and committed to a team, there’s a competitive aspect that makes them as good as they are. And that won’t be compromised. While they are with the team, I don’t see any complacency or let-off with a view to the World Cup,” he added.