I am happy with the balance we have got in the team: Stephen Fleming

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Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has called skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni the team’s heartbeat and said the desire to do well even after playing 200 matches is a testament to his attitude towards the game and the franchise.

Dhoni has been leading the side since the inaugural edition of the league in 2008.

“His longevity has to be mentioned and appreciated… to play 200 games and still have a desire to do well is a testament to his attitude towards the game and franchise,” Fleming said after CSK beat Punjab Kings by six wickets win in the ongoing IPL here on Friday.

“I think the franchise has grown and MS has grown with it, so it is a great relationship and great fun,” the former New Zealand skipper added.

Terming Dhoni the heartbeat of CSK, Fleming said, “He is the heartbeat of CSK, there’s no doubt about it. Whether it’s performance, guidance or leadership, you run out of things to say about him.”

He said the manner in which the team bounced back after the first game was impressive and praised Man of the Match Deepak Chahar for his efforts (4/13).

“Really impressed with the way he bounced back after the first game. Without doubt, when Deepak gets a little bit of swing and a little bit of movement, he is one of the finest around. His ability to swing the ball is one. But his control and skill set is also very high.

“The key is keeping him simple in his plans and just operating in and around the stumps. He is very effective when the ball swings. A great bounce back from a below par performance in the first game.”

Fleming also said the toss was crucial, days after the team had failed to create any opportunities in their opening game against Delhi Capitals.

“We felt within ourselves that the conditions transpired against us with the drizzle and the dew (in the first game). We weren’t able to create any opportunities. So the challenge was laid down to the bowlers’ group as to how they were going to operate in today’s conditions.”

The CSK coach backed opener Ruturaj Gaikwad despite the batsman not being able to get going for a second straight match.

“I am happy with the balance we have got in the team. Ruturaj (Gaikwad) is a fine player. He got a good ball in the first match and very difficult conditions today. It wasn’t a 220-run wicket today. It was much different.

“Ruturaj was a player we showed faith in last year, and his talent came through. Our philosophy when we pick players and put them in the team is to back them. This combination (Ruturaj-Faf du Plessis) is simply that,” he added.

Fleming said the playing XI would also depend on the conditions, which are not straightforward, adding he was encouraged with the way the team played.

“Well, it was the best 11 when you put in a performance like this, then it’s hard to argue. But yeah, we only have one. We have Lungi Ngidi who now becomes available, but he’s only out in the next couple of days.

“So, we’ll see how he comes out of quarantine, but the performance today from the 11 was very encouraging. And, and now it’s a case of really assisting the conditions. I think everyone thought it was going to be high-scoring, but now there’s a little bit more art to the team you pick in that, the tactics that you use,” he added.

Asked if there was any specific plan for Chris Gayle, he said, “The players have been through a number of fields for Chris (Gayle) because he is such a dangerous player.

“The key thing to acknowledge was how the wicket was going to play and also if you win the toss.

“We felt in our first game here, the wicket was a little sticky and offered a little bit to the bowlers. When we found that it was the case today, we had a few more attacking options.

“The first effort was to get Chris out lbw with a swinging ball. The other plans worked from there.