'Run-outs proved decisive'

Stephen Fleming, the coach of Chennai Super Kings, attributed their defeat to Kings XI Punjab in the Qualifier 2 on Friday to the run outs of Suresh Raina and Brendon McCullum at crucial junctures of the game.

Excerpts:

On chasing 227: Well, if you look at it, Kings XI is one team that is taking a liking to our bowling. In a way, we expected a high-scoring game, especially in a ground like this, where 190 were chased in 14 overs. So, when we needed to chase a big score we didn’t feel out of the game, and the first six overs reflected how good the pitch was. When we chase such big total, we will have setbacks, and those two run outs were instrumental in us losing our momentum.

On promoting Ravindra Jadeja: They were operating with a leg-spinner and a left-arm spinner and the left-hander has a distinct advantage if he plays aggressively. Jadeja’s role was to upset the leg-spinner, which he did, and continue the momentum of the game. We also wanted to maintain the left-right combination because it is a bit tough for a spinner to adjust to left-hand, right-hand combination.

On teams getting big scores regularly: It’s amazing isn’t it? What these guys can do when they put their mind into, and play with freedom. We have seen some great play in the game when teams needed to get runs in certain amount of overs, and that seems to free up the players. It is not easy on bowlers. Suresh Raina today… It was not slogging but unbelievable clean hitting, as Sehwag was in periods in his batting. It’s amazingly skillful.

On no big hits between 11 and 18 overs: We lost wickets at regular intervals once we lost Suresh. You really need a partnership of substance to ease the pressure of chasing such big totals. Of course, 87 is a wonderful score but we, perhaps, needed a 140 from Suresh with someone else batting around him.