Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has played down team’s six-hitting concerns in the ongoing Indian Premier League. CSK has managed to hit only 32 maximums in the first six matches of the tournament, which is the lowest among all 10 teams.
The five-time champions are struggling at the bottom of the standings with a solitary win in six games. CSK batters have failed to deliver for the franchise and it has played a major role in their downfall.
The former New Zealand captain said there is more to batting than only hitting sixes.
“We do [struggle with six hitting], but it’s not everything,” Fleming said on the eve of CSK’s game against LSG, who have Nicholas Pooran in their corner with 31 sixes to his name. “I know there’s a fascination with power and six hitting, but there’s also a couple of teams doing well with good [batting] craft.
“And I’d be very sad if the day came to us just being like a baseball competition and talking about sixes and fours. The beauty of the game is there’s still balance between bat and ball, and in some cases there’s not. So I’m loath to get into it too much. I love the skill and the ability to do that.”
Fleming said it is crucial to maintain the balance between bat and ball. The former left-handed opening batter admitted that six-hitting was not easy in their last home game.
“It’s phenomenal from an athlete point of view, but from the good of the game, balance is still really important. Our game in Chennai, the last game, was tricky. They [KKR] hit two or three when they were batting second innings, but for our boys, whether it’s a lack of confidence or intent, it’s not that easy.
“So it’s not just that you can turn up and just hit sixes. Some players are playing absolutely fearlessly, and whether that’s inconsistent or consistent, the tournament will tell, but conditions play a big part. But there’s still room for craft, and you’re still seeing top-class players playing pivotal innings when it’s not flat like a road. And I just hope the balance can remain, because while it’s great to watch and the skill set we admire, the game is still about a balance between that,” he added.
CSK will play against LSG at Lucknow on Monday.
