CSK vs GT: Stephan Fleming – Chennai Super Kings (CSK) coach Stephan Fleming has said his team is better prepared to play the finals in IPL 2023 season than any previous nine attempts. This will be the 10th time CSK will play a final, but they have only 50%-win-loss ratio, winning four times and losing the other IPL finals five times. Follow IPL 2023 Final Live Updates with InsideSport.IN
The former New Zealand captain sounded confident this time and said CSK are ready to play in any conditions.
With rain expected to play some part during CSK vs GT clash, Fleming admitted that in the past, CSK erred in reading conditions during the finals due to playing majority of games in Chepauk.
“We geared ourselves up so well for Chennai that we did struggle with conditions at times in away games, so the finals were always a little bit of a challenge, and our record is about 50 percent of winning the final,” Fleming said during the pre-match press conference.
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CSK vs GT: Why Fleming feels CSK are optimistic about heading into the final against GT than any other previous finals?
CSK have covered all bases in IPL 2023, with players stepping up in batting and bowling. Devon Conway is leading the way with bat in hand having scored 625 runs in 15 matches.
Gaikwad, Rahane, and Dube have chipped with vital contributions. In the bowling, Tushar Deshpande is leading the charge with 25 wickets.
Pathirana and Theekshana have struck decisive blows in the middle and final overs by picking 19 and 23 respectively. Fleming feels the players scoring and picking wickets in all conditions is key in CSK reaching the final yet another time.
“It is maybe due to the style of the game we created — a victim of being so good at home that we had to make adjustments when we went to a neutral venue.” Fleming said CSK were “a bit more rounded” this year.
“So we are well off the mark in trying to get the conditions right, but the team is rounded enough to put performances together.
Come the final, we are not worried as to what conditions we get, there are two pitches to choose from now, but we are not too worried. We are a lot better placed than what we had been in the past,” he said.
CSK vs GT: Fleming feels making early inroads against GT vital, says need to stop Gill
Fleming feels picking early wickets in the power play would be essential in stopping GT from posting a big score. Gill is the leading run-scorer in IPL 2023, scoring 851 runs. CSK coach stated that picking the GT opener’s wicket early is vital in the finals.
“He (Gill) is playing really well. It (the plans) does not really change you hope that you pick him up early, you have enough firepower to create an opportunity.
“If we can get a couple of early breakthroughs then, (just like) in the last game we played there is an opportunity. But we got to get past him, he is playing really well,” Fleming said.
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