CSK VS GT: Stephen Fleming Acknowledges That the 2023 Season Has Been Extremely Challenging

In the much-anticipated clash against the Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings‘ head coach, Stephen Fleming, expressed his excitement about reaching the grand finale of IPL 2023. He commended his team’s remarkable comeback in this edition of the tournament after a lackluster performance in the previous season of 2022.

Under the astute leadership of MS Dhoni, who has captained the Chennai franchise since the inaugural edition in 2008, the team has emerged as the second most successful franchise in IPL history, clinching four titles, second only to the Mumbai Indians’ record of five championships. Addressing the media in the pre-final press conference, Stephen Fleming emphasized the importance of staying focused on the present moment. He highlighted the team’s consistent performance throughout the cash-rich league and emphasized the need to avoid losing concentration in the crucial final CSK vs GT match.

“We’ve Got to Stay Very Present against Gujarat,” Says Fleming

“We’ve got to stay very present against Gujarat, one of the most consistent sides in the tournament. They’re an excellent side, and we can’t afford to dream too much, but this is why we’re here. The excitement levels and the nerves of the big stage slowly simmer away, but it’s a good thing to have, it’s just how you work with them in your system,” Stephen Fleming said in the pre-match conference.

The former CSK batter also revealed that the team had put in immense effort to reach this stage, and they are eagerly anticipating the challenge posed by the Gujarat Titans. He acknowledged that there would be anxiety and nervousness ahead of such a significant game and stressed the importance of managing those emotions effectively during the final.

“We’ve worked very hard at that. We’ve got some good people around us. We look forward to this challenge, but you have to have a certain level of anxiety and nervousness to be at your best, I guess. It’s about how you manage that and how quickly you can sync into the game. That’s what we will be looking to do,” Fleming added.

Notably, the Yellow Brigade have reached the IPL finals nine times, winning four and losing six. As they take the field on Sunday (May 28) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, led by the seasoned MS Dhoni, they will be determined to add a fifth IPL crown to their illustrious record.