CSK coach Fleming not fretting over workload management

Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming has said that workload management will play a part during this year’s IPL due to the upcoming World Cup but the defending champions won’t be impacted much as there aren’t too many pacers in their line-up. (READ: Players know how to manage their load, says Dravid)

In CSK, there are two sure-shot selections in the Indian playing XI for the World Cup in MS Dhoni and Kedar Jadhav, while Ambati Rayudu and Ravindra Jadeja are still in the mix. However, none of the top three India pacers Jasprit Bumrah (MI), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (SRH) and Mohammed Shami (KXIP) are in CSK roster, which makes it a slightly easier for Fleming to sort his combinations. (READ: Kohli dismisses speculations of limited IPL matches for India’s World Cup-bound players)

Asked about how the franchise plans to go about with their workload management policy, Fleming replied: “Probably managing the workload of the bowlers will be the only topic of discussion. It will have an influence – but it will be minimal for CSK.”

However, Fleming, the former New Zealand captain, agreed it will play part but not at the cost of franchise’s interest.

“Yes, this is going to play a part. The reason I say that is England 18 months ago stipulated when their players will be leaving early – Australia are the same. It has had an impact. When we sit and pick as a team, we were mindful of how many players will be leaving early and what the balance would be like. So, it has had an influence,” he said.

“As far as individual players taking it easy, I have no concerns with that. Certainly. from the group of players that we have, once you’re involved in a competition and committed to a team, there’s a competitive aspect that makes them as good as they are. And that won’t be compromised. While they are with the team, I don’t see any complacency or let-off with a view to the World Cup.”

To the question if the Yo-Yo test was a mandatory procedure for the CSK, now that it has been adopted by most international teams including India, Fleming said it was never part of CSK’s fitness programme adding “we ensure the players are 100 percent, mentally and physically.”

“It’s never been part of CSK’s fitness programme. We have enough ways to keep the guys up to speed and the way we wanted them to play. We can only speak from CSK’s perspective. There are certain expectations of fitness which will be met,” he pointed out.

“We have world-class physio and trainer with us. We don’t spend time policing them because we have other things prioritised. We ensure the players are 100 per cent, mentally and physically. We have only two months, whereas the national team deals with the players the rest of the year.”

Fleming, however, said expectation is for the players would do their work so they can meet the standard set by the Indian team.

“I expect the players to do their work so that they can meet the standard set by the Indian team. And I don’t want CSK players to be labelled as under-performers in fitness,” the head coach said.