IPL 2021: Mumbai Indians do play well against us, so we need to lift our standards-CSK coach Stephen Fleming

Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming opened on his team’s famed rivalry with defending champions Mumbai Indians, saying MI often play well against CSK and that’s why MS Dhoni’s side needs to lift their standard.

Fleming said it’s like a fresh start and added that it will be a unique challenge looking at how the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 season has been split into two. Mumbai Indians renew rivalry with Chennai Super Kings at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium to kick-start the resumption of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 on Sunday.

“We finished the first half of phase 1 with a loss where Pollard played one of the great IPL innings. Mumbai do play well against us, so we got to keep lifting our standards. From a coaching point of view, you want that game underway so that you know what to work on and just exactly where the team’s at. So, we’re looking forward to it as always and it’s a good encounter,” Stephen Fleming told CSK TV.

Fired up for the
Pre Match Mood ft. Super Fam#CSKvMI #WhistlePodu #Yellove @PhonePe_ pic.twitter.com/0f7mHJvm7x

— Chennai Super Kings – Mask Pdu Whistle Pdu! (@ChennaiIPL) September 19, 2021

“We just want to start well again but also remembering the work that it took to get a bit of form and to get those wins. It’s all about the mindset, people coming together and almost treating it like a fresh start for another tournament,” CSK coach said.

“There are guys coming in from the CPL (Caribbean Premier League) and international cricket and that’s the beauty of the IPL, they come with great experience and tie them all together. I’m really happy with the work that is being done here. I’m looking forward to it,” he added.

“The style of play, the way the new players adjusted into the side and then getting a game plan that suits the players and the balance that we had. So, that was by design… which is always nice when it comes off. The way we batted and the aggressive nature in which we batted and took the opposition on and that was something that was lacking in the first half in Dubai last time. The confidence through that was good and the all-round balance was good to see,” Fleming further said.