"It Was Tough To Watch": Blunt CSK Coach On MS Dhoni, Vijay Shankar Slow Stand In Losing Cause vs DC

Stephen Fleming admitted that CSK need to produce better outings with the bat, and they have not really exploited the resources in their ranks.

Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming said MS Dhoni is "still going strong" and putting an end to the former skipper's run in the IPL is not a role assigned to him. The presence of Dhoni's parents -- Pan Singh and Devaki Devi -- at the Chepauk for CSK's match against Delhi Capitals on Saturday had fuelled speculation about an imminent his retirement. "No, that's not my role to put an end to it. I have no idea. I'm just enjoying working with him. He's still going strong. I don't even ask these days. You guys are the ones that ask (about retirement)," said Fleming in the post-match press conference.

The decision to send Dhoni at No. 9 attracted heavy criticism but on Saturday the legendary cricketer walked out at No. 7 but struggled to gain any momentum during his 26-ball 30 as CSK lost the match by 25 runs, their third straight defeat.

Fleming did not see Dhoni coming in the 11th over as a damage limitation move and said batting at that stage was really tough. "The intent was there. When he went out, I think the ball started to grip a little bit more. We understood it was going to be good for the first half and then gradually get slower. So, we were keen to bat and then take pace with the ball.

"They did it really well. Vijay Shankar struggled to get timings all the way through his innings. But that period from 12 to 16 overs was difficult for all. It was tough to watch and certainly tough to be out there. So the game was just slipping away, and even with intent and different methods to do it, it was just too big a scale,” said Fleming.

However, Fleming admitted that CSK need to produce better outings with the bat, and they have not really exploited the resources in their ranks.

“We are focusing still very hard on bowling-wise to restrict teams but we do need to be better with the bat. We need to have one or two players in form, predominantly the top three or four.