Dhoni’s CSK will face Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians in the tournament opener on Saturday. Fleming, a former New Zealand captain, emphasized that his team’s experience of winning big matches will be useful for the next 53 days.
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Dhoni retired from international cricket last month after being on hiatus for over a year and when asked about the 39-year-old’s preparation for the IPL, Fleming said: “It has been no different. He is very fit. and mentally, it has been very good. ” committed and determined “.
“In some ways, the break can work for the experienced and older players we have. MS is fresh and ready to go,” Fleming said in a pre-tournament interview on the official CSK website.
The three-time champions rely heavily on their 35+ players, including Dhoni himself, Shane watson, Dwayne Bravo, Kedar Jadhav, and Imran Tahir, to name a few.
“… experienced players identify key moments and that is why they have done so well in their careers. They can change the games, absorb the pressure or just summarize the situation. That is what experience is all about and that is why we value it so much.” Fleming said.
“And that is why we have been able to overcome the line in so many close matches because the key player has been one with a lot of experience. And you also mix that with skill. You are aware of having a skillful side and adding youth when we can and with that we get the perfect balance. ”
Starting against a quality team like IM is certainly exciting for Fleming, who wants his men to have a shot at the defending champs after their agonizing loss on the last ball in the previous edition.
“The first game is always full of anxiety, nerves and excitement, and CSK-MI has added more excitement and pressure and we enjoy it. We earned the right to play the first game by playing well last year, and we have led the way final ended last year, good to have another shot at MI.
“They (MI) are a very good team and it gives you a good idea of how the preseason has gone and the areas that need improvement. After the first game you have a good idea of where your team is sitting.” ”
With the advantage of playing seven games at Chepauk at home, Fleming is preparing for a tactically very different tournament where adaptability will be key.
“I see this season is going to be very different tactically. Without a real home advantage here, we have to be very good at adapting to the conditions on each field.
“We have three different fields to evaluate and each field has its own character and nuances, and we have to be good enough to pick the right team and get the right game plan for that. It’s like every game is an offside.” he explained.
Correctly evaluating the track in Abu Dhabi is another factor, considering that its nature is slightly different from that of Dubai and Sharjah.
“It is one of the challenges of having to travel to Abu Dhabi, we have to be very good on the day to have to evaluate the wicket and choose the right combination. One of the big challenges for IPL teams is getting the right combinations.
“Choosing the right side for the right conditions is one of the great challenges and we have a good track record in that. But I must admit that going to Abu Dhabi without seeing the gate or evaluating the conditions will be one of the great challenges to start with,” he concluded. .
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