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Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming has acknowledged the need for rebuilding an "ageing squad" after a poor show with the bat which has been their achilles heel through out the season.
But as pointed out by both Fleming and skipper M S Dhoni, they could have done a lot more in the batting department.
"We will give some time for dust to settle down. I think if you win one title and reach the final next time, you have had good two years. We do understand that we are an ageing team. So at some point, we just have to look at recreating the side, obviously MS as well,” said Fleming following the one-run loss to Mumbai.
Fleming said that the planning for next season will start after Mahendra Singh Dhoni is back from the World Cup. The former New Zealand skipper said that just like other teams have created a new pool of talent, CSK will be cautiously also enter into the rebuilding phase.
While the bowlers were exceptional, the batsmen could have done better, felt Fleming.
"This year in Chennai was tough (turning track), the conditions were tough to read, hard to play. A little bit of training as well, our batters weren't big enough from the form point of view. If we look at the aggregate of numbers from our top order, we could have liked a bit more. Batting certainly was a weak part of our game this season, there is a lot of work to do,” Fleming said.
"But at the same time, how much more do you need? We got to the final, we went till the last ball. Of course, we didn't have a good season with the bat. But there was never a lack of effort," said Fleming.
Shane Waton kept CSK in the game with a fighting 80 in their chase of 150 but did not get the support from the other batsmen. Watson was run out in the final over bowled by Lasith Malinga who managed to defend nine runs.
Earlier, Dhoni too was adjudged run out after due deliberation after a direct hit from Ishan Kishan, marking a massive moment in the game.
Dhoni's dismissal was the boost that Mumbai Indians needed at that point of time.
"So his dismissal does two things. Our job stops down a bit and it lifts the opposition. So yes it was a big moment." He did not expect a last-ball finish after CSK reached 53 for one in the first six overs.
"Malinga bowled a good over. Shane was tired, he was batting that long. It was a great last over of a final, going till the last ball. A crafty old fox like Malinga bowling a great delivery. We can go back and look at different scenarios that could have taken place but the bottom line is it was a good hard-fought final," said Fleming.
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