IPL 2025: “We just haven't been able to get it right” - Stephen Fleming Reveals Reason Behind CSK’s Collapse
Stephen Fleming Discusses IPL Auction Error
The end to what can only be described as a disastrous Indian Premier League season for the Chennai Super Kings is closing in, and most fans of the five-time champions will likely be feeling a little relieved to close the chapter on the 18th edition of the competition.
It has been a tough slog for CSK, who suffered a fourth straight loss and their ninth defeat in 11 games last weekend, when they came up two runs short in a thrilling chase against the high-flying Royal Challengers Bangalore, which also confirmed our cricket prediction for the match.
The defeat left MS Dhoni and co on just four points with three games to play, and also guaranteed they would not be a part of the knockouts, now 10 points below the current fourth-place team in the standings, Mumbai Indians.
After a very poor start to the season, the Yellow Shirts came under plenty of criticism for their reluctance to rely on youth, to which head coach Stephen Fleming explained that the decision was based on past success and their foundation of experienced campaigners.
Last week, the former New Zealand captain was questioned about the lack of youth in the team again, but this time admitted that the team got it wrong at the IPL mega auction last year, while also acknowledging that it was part of the learning process. He said:
“It is hard to say we got it completely right with the performances that we have had. So we have been looking over that in detail just around our style of play. Also looking at how the game is evolving. Other teams have got better and that is the point of the auction. But we just haven't been able to get it right.”
The biggest issue for CSK this season has been their inability to find consistent performances with the bat, which is something they have done time and again over the years. As it stands, no Super Kings’ batsman currently ranks in the top 20 leading run-scorers in this season’s IPL.
Urvil Patel Drafted To CSK for the Remainder of the Season
Owing in part to the criticism received earlier in the season, as well as their downward spiral, Fleming has tried to freshen up his squad as the competition has progressed, most notably bringing in 17-year-old Ayush Mhatre, who has been very impressive since joining the team.
The CSK head coach had another change lined up for last weekend in uncapped Vansh Bedi, but unfortunately, the wicket-keeper batsman sustained a ligament tear in his left ankle and has now been ruled out for the rest of the season.
As a result, Fleming has now called up Urvil Patel for his base price of ₹30 lakh for the remainder of the campaign. The 26-year-old became an overnight sensation after blasting a 28-ball century for Gujarat at the 2024-25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Patel is expected to make his debut for Chennai when they take on the Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on Wednesday afternoon.
