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Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were on the verge of clinching successive Indian Premier League (IPL) trophies before Mumbai Indians (MI) got hold of the situation on the last delivery of the big final as Lasith Malinga trapped Shardul Thakur in front of the stumps to win a thriller for his team by one run.
After losing the IPL 2019 final by a narrow margin, CSK head coach Stephen Fleming acknowledged the need for rebuilding an ‘ageing squad’ after a poor show with the bat which had been a problem area throughout the season. He also admitted that MS Dhoni’s run-out during the chase was a big moment in the match that affected its outcome.
Here’s the video of Dhoni’s dismissal:
— CricBoll (@mycricboll) May 14, 2019
On rebuilding the CSK squad
The core team’s average age was 34, but the team won the IPL last year and finished runners-up this season.
“We will give some time for dust to settle down. I think if you win one title and reach the final next time, you have had good two years. We do understand that we are an ageing team. So at some point, we just have to look at recreating the side, obviously MS as well,” said Fleming during a recent interview.
Fleming said that the planning for next season will begin after MSD is back from the 2019 World Cup. The former New Zealand skipper said that just like other teams have created a new pool of talent, CSK will also cautiously enter the rebuilding phase.
“He (Dhoni) will be travelling to the World Cup. A lot of talent has been established in other teams. You need to do it carefully and get the balance right, when you try to go for players who you think can deliver for us.”
Dhoni run out was a ‘big moment’
Fleming has admitted that the third umpire’s decision to rule Dhoni run out was a ‘big moment’ in deciding the result of the final.
“It was a big moment. Took a long time to give the decision. Always a big moment when MS goes. He was really consistent this year. It’s also the calmness with which he operates that’s different from the other players,” he said.
“So his dismissal does two things. Our job stops down a bit and it lifts the opposition. So yes it was a big moment,” the coach added.
