Chennai Super Kings performed below par: Fleming

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Chennai Super Kings’ campaign in this year’s Champions League T20 came crashing down after New South Wales registered a convincing 46-run victory over the defending champions in the final league game at the MAC on Tuesday.

To add insult to injury, NSW opener David Warner with his 69-ball 135, single-handedly ensured that the Chennai unit failed to make it to the last four.

Speaking after the game, CSK coach Stephen Fleming, who has been associated with the team for many years conceded that his team were not up to the mark to defend their title.

Excerpts:

On the early exit: In T20, one can’t expect to keep winning everything. We are disappointed the way things have panned out in this edition. We were way off the mark against NSW. We were probably too anxious to get things going.

On Warner’s innings: All credit to Warner. His knock ensured that we were under pressure from the very first ball.

On CSK’s chase: We knew getting 200-plus in 17 odd overs was never going to be easy. Nevertheless, they bowled well to keep us under check. There can be just two outcomes while chasing a big target; you either go close or you can lose wickets along the way. We had no other option other than to keep striking. I think a target of 160 or 170 would have given us a realsitioc chance.

On whether Albie Morkel’s absence hurt: We knew that Albie was in trouble at the end of the last match. So that gave us time to find a solution and we were pretty good at adjusting. Coming in place of Albie, Nuwan Kulasekara did exceedingly well.

On CSK’s preparation or the lack of it: See, we got no excuses. We performed below par and that is why we are out. A far as preparation is concerned, it was tough. A lot of teams training at one go did not allow us to use the middle. Otherwise, we might have tried something different during our training stints. Also, re-laying the wicket was a massive blow as we were expecting to play the same style of cricket that we have done for the last three years.

On whether players were struggling with fatigue: For me as a coach, attitude is the key and my entire team had truckloads of it. Tired or not tired, they gave it their all in the middle. But of course, there is no doubt that a lot of tired legs were out there playing in the tournament.

Mike Hussey is an element of fatigue. But if you mix fatigue with poor attitude, then I have a problem. But the boys never let that happen, so I am satisfied. I am hopeful of CSK bouncing back strongly.