We struggled to get momentum and put RR under pressure last night: Stephen Fleming
Stephen Fleming, CSK head coach, admitted that his side were thoroughly outplayed by their opponents, Rajasthan Royals, last night, which resulted in a 7-wicket loss for the 3-time IPL champions.
The defeat meant that CSK have literally hit rock-bottom in the points table and are at the brink of elimination. Batting first, CSK posted a total of 125/5 in the allotted twenty overs. Ravindra Jadeja was the highest run-getter from the side as he scored unbeaten 35 runs.
Rajasthan Royals chased down the target of 126 with seven wickets in hand and 15 balls to spare. Jos Buttler played a match-winning knock of 70* runs while skipper Steve Smith played an unbeaten inning of 26 runs.
Fleming said his said failed to get momentum as they kept losing wickets. He said, “We lost wickets and you have to be positive and create some pressure and a run rate but we lost wickets throughout and we struggled to get real momentum to put them under pressure. They bowled well.”
ALSO READ: MS Dhoni, Stephen Fleming address issues behind CSK’s poor start to IPL 2020
Fleming also lauded Jos Buttler for maturely guiding his side home after 3 early fall of wickets, saying, “Buttler played an exceptional innings. He was a lot different from the rest of the batters, who found it difficult. So when you’ve got a good partnership going, you’ve got a player playing this well, it makes most conditions look a bit benign. That’s what took our spinners out of the game.”
Here’s the video:
Buttler played an exceptional innings: Fleming
Jos Buttler during his knock of 70* last night
“I tried to come out with some intensity in my batting, didn’t think I had enough of it in our last game,” said Buttler. “I decided to take a few more options tonight and it came off.
“You have to keep trusting yourself. Particularly when there’s no scoreboard pressure, you can play yourself in and cut loose in the end. I’m happy to do whatever the team needs to me do.”
ALSO READ: We’re just trying to use our resources smartly: Stephen Fleming on MS Dhoni batting at 7
“Buttler took the pressure off me,” said Smith. “I just knocked it around, and he just batted the way he usually does. He always maintains a good strike-rate.”