Locals make us tick, says CSK coach

There are few things about the Chennai Super Kings that stand out, apart from their back-to-back Indian Premier League (IPL) titles.

One is their policy of not making too many changes in their playing XI — they have gone in with the same side in the three games thus far, and their focus of playing a number of local lads.

Stephen Fleming

CSK coach Stephen Fleming believes these policies are the reasons why they have been so successful in the IPL so far. “We have been like that all the four seasons, we have opted to go with the same playing XI on most occasions,” Fleming said on Friday, on the eve of their away game against Pune Warriors India. “We really value what it (not making changes) brings to the side, it helps the team unity as well. In T20 format, players are asked to do so many different roles, it’s pretty hard to judge a player’s form. If you look at a player’s form in a traditional way, you won’t get the same answers.

“So, we give players some time to catch up, and find form. We take a more conservative view, and try to make as a few changes as possible. That does not mean that players are not under pressure to perform, and if someone is not delivering as per the expectations, then changes will be made,” the former Kiwi skipper explains.

CSK have given their local heroes constant opportunities, be it R Ashwin, Murali Vijay or S Badrinath. “It doesn’t happen with all the teams. At CSK, we value the team loyalty a lot. We try to give the Tamil Nadu players a lot of opportunities. I think, they have a very good system in place, and there is a lot of talent there. We just try and take some of that, and channelise it to the IPL level,” Fleming explained.

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