Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is the same person as MS Dhoni and it’s unfair to call the former “slow” when batting, head coach Stephen Fleming Stephen Fleming said here on Saturday. Gaikwad, who succeeded Dhoni as CSK captain at the start of this IPL, has had a mixed start to his leadership tenure, losing two away games and winning three home games. But at the same time, the 27-year-old Gaikwad was criticized for his “slow” batting.

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The right-handed opening batsman has scored 155 runs in five games so far at a strike rate of 117.42.

Asked if he had any discussions with Gaikwad, Fleming said: “There’s no difference. He’s very cool. I know the last captain was very cool. But the guy is the same guy, so it’s a run-in. .” distinguishes his leadership and batting ability.

“He’s an impressive young man in terms of his game and what he needs to do. I think he’s been unfairly put into a category called slow. But you have to understand some of those statistics background,” Fleming told the media during CSK training at the Wankhede Stadium.

“We know it’s a bit like Bollywood movies and sometimes these things are brought to the screen. But he’s good. He’s playing in good conditions. The last game (CSK vs KKR) was a good example of how leaders play. example, and of a very high standard. I have no doubt about Ruturaj,” Fleming added.

Fleming clarified that appointing Ruturaj as captain was a long-term decision and not a stopgap measure for the five-time champions.

“Hopefully. That’s the plan and it’s worked well so far. The transition has been very smooth. He’s judged by wins, but we’re judged differently. His leadership of the team is top-notch. I think it will be like the last one Captain for many years,” Fleming added.

The former New Zealand captain said CSK was the benefactor of the love Dhoni received from fans, which was overwhelming at times.

“Honestly, it’s amazing. It’s really astounding, the love… to be honest, the love India has for MS Dhoni, we are the benefactors of it,” Fleming said.

“There’s no doubt that teams feel proud when they see a lot of yellow cards in away games. Even if it’s not all yellow, it can be overwhelming in some situations.” “But we have a strong sense of what created There’s no illusions about it and whoever created it. We’re very proud of him and his involvement in the team and we think it’s a real honor that people came out to support him and if that’s secondary, it’s the team. . We both have a very close connection,” Fleming added.

Fleming said the annual two-month IPL has become contagious, but the league must continue to find ways to grow.

“There has been a natural growth in terms of fan following. Players’ skills are evolving. Batting in particular, especially in the last five years, has grown very quickly,” he said.

“The challenge in the IPL from a technical point of view is how the bowlers level the game a little bit. Two bouncers (as per the rules) is one. Maybe we need to keep looking at other ways to do that. “The fact is, two The month of cricket, fans and support has become intoxicating and it has been a wonderful injection for cricket. So how can you not like it? How could you not like it? “Is it contagious?” he added.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians’ Mohammad Nabi said the right team combination is one of the key factors for the five-time champions to return to winning ways.

“The plans of the bowling and batting groups are going very well and that’s why we won the last two games. The team combination in the last two games has been very good,” he said.

Nabi said the nature of the pitch at Wankhede Stadium makes the job of off-spinners more difficult.

“The conditions in Wankhede as a spinner make it really difficult for non-spinners to bowl. There are many varieties of leg-spinners, but it will be more difficult to play here as a non-spinner,” he said.