As Chennai Super Kings (CSK) gear up to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Friday in Chennai, head coach Stephen Fleming highlighted the balanced nature of this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL 2025). He downplayed past performances, acknowledging that both teams have undergone changes since last season.
“Things change quite quickly. The RCB from last year, the CSK from last year are quite different. We don’t look at all into past performances. Certainly looking at their team, Kohli is a big part of it, but they’ve got other strengths as well. The competition is really even this year,” Fleming stated, according to the CSK website.
Adaptability Key to Success
With different playing conditions throughout the tournament, Fleming stressed the importance of adaptability.
“It’s difficult, we don’t have much influence on what comes up. Each pitch has a different characteristic so we’ll work really hard to work out what’ll work and what we have and try to get us pretty well equipped for all conditions, because that’s been the key here,” he explained.
Squad Selection & Player Availability
On the availability of Matheesha Pathirana and possible inclusions like Vijay Shankar and Andre Siddharth, Fleming remained reserved, suggesting that major changes to the lineup are unlikely.
“It’s only been one game and one game we won, so we’re not a team that tinkers that much. Pathirana is progressing nicely,” he said.
CSK’s Opening Win in IPL 2025
In their opening match, Noor Ahmad’s brilliant 4/18 and Khaleel Ahmed’s 3/29 restricted Mumbai Indians (MI) to 155/9. CSK chased the target comfortably, led by Rachin Ravindra’s unbeaten 65 and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad’s 53, securing a four-wicket win at Chepauk.