NEW DELHI: Although seamer Deepak Chahar's most recent injury "doesn't look good," Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming expressed optimism for a positive report from the team's medical staff ahead of the ongoing IPL's business phase.
Fleming did not provide any information regarding Chahar's recent injury, but in just the second ball of the Punjab Kings' chase in Chennai on Wednesday night, the 31-year-old seamer was seen pulling off his run-up.
After speaking with the physiotherapist and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chahar appeared to be suffering from a hamstring injury. He did not bowl during the remainder of the match.
Injuries have plagued Chahar's career in the past few years, depriving him a berth on the Indian squad.
"Yeah, the travelogue is pretty busy. There's a lot of ins and outs. So, Deepak Chahar doesn't look good," said Fleming during the post-match presser.
"The initial feeling wasn't great. So, I'm hoping for a more positive report when the physio and the doctor have a look."
Due to Chahar's injury, Gaikwad was compelled to insert Shivam Dube, who has mostly been employed as a batter this season, for one over.
However, Fleming acknowledged that Dube is not fit for the role in the IPL due to the Impact Player rule after Dube went for 14 in the one over he bowled. Dube will have his opportunity under the right circumstances.
"He (Dube) is ready to bowl and is working hard on it. He will play a role in the right conditions, and with the Impact Player rule, we have players who can fit the role better. Currently, his necessity to bowl is pretty much small," the coach said.
CSK suffered a seven-wicket defeat to PBKS, their second loss at home this season, managing a meagre 162 for 7, which was comfortably chased down with 13 balls to spare.
Talking about the demanding wicket at Chepauk, Fleming said, "It's difficult, and we have spoken on the unpredictability of the wickets here before. Batting first makes it difficult for us to judge as to what a good competitive score is.
"We had a couple of 200s (before), which was in our minds today. But, the wicket was very sticky.
"We also had a good start in the (first) six overs before things became difficult. We also tried a few lefties in the form of Dube and (Ravindra) Jadeja but we just couldn't get anything through the middle. They bowled really well, they got good purchase and held onto it. We just got stifled through the middle, which prevented us from getting a score of 180," he said.
With a low score to defend, Fleming was impressed with the commitment and performance shown by English pacer Richard Gleeson, who made his debut last night.
"Richard Gleeson was good, and it was a positive. Losing Fizz (Mustafizur Rahman) is disappointing.
"Tushar (Deshpande) has a bit of flu going around as well. So, we've had to make a few changes, which is unusual. Again, that's part of it, and we have got the resources," he said.
"Just they haven't had the game time to be really comfortable with their roles and us to be comfortable with a game plan, which we're struggling a little."
Ajinkya Rahane, the experienced opener, reached double figures despite struggling in the last four games, although he was only able to get a score of 29 off of 24 balls.
"I thought he (Rahane) was good today. He's been probably a bit too aggressive in what he wants to do," Fleming observed.
"Keep in mind, we're batting on wickets here that we don't know how they are gonna play. So, we got to take a bit of a pause to see what a good score is. If you are 3 for 30, the game is pretty much over.
"His (Rahane) hitting that was so good last year, is more crisp. It's not for lack of intent. He has doubled up on intent. We're fine with Jinks and the role he plays."
| IPL ORANGE CAPIPL PURPLE CAPIPL POINTS TABLE
(With PTI inputs)
1/10:IPL: Punjab Kings beat Chennai Super Kings in their own den
IANS
2/10:Bairstow and Rossouw's Impact
Key knocks by Jonny Bairstow and Rilee Rossouw helped Punjab Kings to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over defending champions Chennai Super Kings.AP
3/10:Commanding win for Punjab
Chasing 163 for victory, Punjab depended on Bairstow's 46 and 43 by Rossouw to achieve victory with 13 balls to spare.AFP
4/10:Fourth win for Punjab
Bairstow and Rossouw, a left-handed South African batsman, put on 64 runs for the second wicket to set up the chase.AP
5/10:Shashank, Curran take Punjab home
Shashank Singh, who made 25, and skipper Sam Curran, who hit 26, then put on an unbeaten stand of 50 to steer the team home and keep their slim play-off hopes alive.AP
6/10:Punjab dominate Chennai
Punjab are the second team to defeat Chennai in five successive IPL matches. Mumbai Indians won five in a row against Chennai between 2018 and 2019.PTI
7/10:Fifth defeat for Chennai
Five-time winners Chennai have won five and lost five and stay fourth in the 10-team table led by Rajasthan Royals.ANI
8/10:Punjab bowlers' impact
Bowlers set up victory with spinners Harpreet Brar, who was named man of the match for his figures of 2-17, and Rahul Chahar taking two wickets each in their miserly spells.AP
9/10:Gaikwad claims Orange Cap
Ruturaj Gaikwad with five half-centuries this season surpassed RCB star Virat Kohli (500) as the leading batsman in the IPL 2024 with 509 runs in 10 innings.AFP
