Stephen Fleming: 'CSK deserves to finish bottom', why team retained Pathirana, what Anshul Kamboj brings to table

Stephen Fleming, head coach of the Chennai Super Kings, reflecting on the campaign stated that the team deserved to finish at the bottom in IPL 2025. However, he also pledged to return with "strong ideas" in the next edition, blaming the batters behind their dismal performance this season.

Five-time champions CSK, one of the heavyweights in the league, will likely finish last after losing to the Rajasthan Royals by six wickets on Tuesday in their penultimate IPL match of the season. Given CSK's reputation, it is not something that fans are accustomed to seeing.

"No, we don't obviously like being down here. We wanted just a good performance. We're trying to string some performances together. The aim was two good performances (in last two matches). Now it'll be one good one to finish. It's probably fitting that we're at the bottom. We've played that type of cricket, so you can't hide away from it," the head coach said after the six-wicket loss to Rajasthan.

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Fleming stated the unit is aware of the challenges that lie ahead before highlighting the ordinary run by the top-order batsmen, which greatly impacted their campaign. "Our order is not right at this stage, and that is something that we are always looking to reshuffle. We've got some strong ideas for next year, so all those facets are covered. But that hasn't been possible this year because of the lack of runs at the top.

"A lot of the batting positions are determined by how well a start we have, and then guys can fall into line. We haven't had that. So we've been just patching innings up, really, rather than constructing good innings," he explained.

Anshul Kamboj's potential

CSK pacer Anshul Kamboj celebrates a wicket with MS Dhoni (AP Photo)

After being included in the A team for the England tour, Fleming believes that pacer Anshul Kamboj, who impressed with his pace, will be a valuable asset for India. "His speeds have been around 138, 139 (kph). He is deceptive and the ball always seems to hit the gloves harder. His big strength is his length and he just gets the ball to wobble. You saw that today (Tuesday) on a reasonably flat wicket and he'll do well on that tour (of England) if he gets conditions that seam a bit and a little bit of swing.

"He'll be an absolute handful. He has got some real potential with both white and red ball. We're happy with his development and the opportunity he has taken this year."

Why franchise retained Pathirana

CSK pacer Matheesha Pathirana (AFP Photo)

While praising bowler Matheesha Pathirana, the former Kiwi captain stated that the Lankan still needs to get better. "We have high expectations of him, which is why we retained him. But he is coming back into some form. He was really out of form. He's made improvements, but it's still not to where we or he would like. So there's some room for him to get some form and get some confidence. But he's just at that crossroads where batsmen are playing him better."

He has taken 10 wickets in his last 10 IPL games and gone wicketless in five of them. "They've seen more of him. So now he just has to drill down on what he needs to do to be as effective as what he's been for the first part of his career. It's a unique skill set, but it's been a little bit off," he said.