Chennai Super Kings were handed their first home loss of the season by the Lucknow Super Giants as the visitors posted a six-wicket win in a high-scoring IPL 2024 encounter at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday.
CSK managed to register a total of 210 runs in 20 overs headlined by skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad’s unbeaten ton and a half-century from Shivam Dube, but LSG one-upped the hosts with a brilliant century from Marcus Stoinis.
CSK head coach Stephen Fleming lauded the quality of the game and expressed that finer details cost the home side the game. He also shed light on the change in the nature of the pitch through the evening.
“Today was a little bit slow (the pitch) probably for the first 25 overs and then it sped up,” Fleming began.
However, he said the side was aware of the possibility and wanted to put up a good total in order to try and defend.
“But we knew that was going to happen and we wanted to put up a score that was going to keep us in the game,” he added.
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Fleming expressed his admiration of Gaikwad’s knock as the captain led the charge from the front with his 108 runs as he carried his bat through.
“And we did so. A great hundred from Ruturaj, His shots were absolute craft, it was a fantastic knock. He played very well and helped us to the score of 210. We weren’t comfortable with that score but we knew we were in the game,” he said.
The CSK head coach also lauded the efforts of allrounder Stoinis who led LSG over the finish line with three deliveries to spare.
“They answered well will a great hundred from Stoinis. It was a good game of cricket, we competed well given the conditions and the field in the second innings, but under pressure we let the little things slip,” Fleming said.
CSK had a couple of changes in their lineup and Fleming explained the rationale behind the changes, while attribution certain changes to injury lay-off.
“We have had some changes. Some of it forced on us,” the 51-year-old said.
He elucidated on how crucial it was to give players time to find form and settle down. “We have had a couple of injuries and we have been a bit unsettled, but the main thing is giving the guys in key areas some time to find form, it will take some time,” he said.
Fleming emphasised that the team isn’t trying to find a temporary quick fix, but seek to strike the right combination to permit players to thrive, as has always been the case with the five-time winners.
“It is a mix we are trying to find and also form is a reason. We are not trying to find a quick fit. We are trying to find the right combination for players to perform,” the former New Zealand international signed off.
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