Mumbai: Stephen Fleming, the head coach of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), acknowledged the team's challenging position in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Despite their struggles, he emphasized that the five-time champions are committed to scouting for new talent for the next season.

After suffering their sixth defeat in eight matches, CSK found themselves at the bottom of the points table following a nine-wicket loss to the Mumbai Indians. CSK managed to post 176 runs for five wickets, but it fell short against a strong batting display from Rohit Sharma, who scored an unbeaten 76, and Suryakumar Yadav, who contributed 68 runs.

Fleming expressed the difficulty of maintaining enthusiasm when the team is underperforming but stressed the importance of staying competitive. He mentioned that the coaching staff would draw lessons from past experiences to improve their performance, recalling how they rebounded in 2023 after a disappointing ninth-place finish in 2022.

"We will not waste any opportunities during this tournament. We will reflect on previous tournaments that did not go our way and the strategies that led to our successes in subsequent seasons," he stated.

Fleming acknowledged the team's current situation but assured that they would actively seek players and combinations for the upcoming season, viewing this as a chance for growth.

He noted, "While we prefer to be in a more competitive position, if it turns out that we cannot advance to the playoffs, we will still make the most of the situation."

The Mumbai Indians showcased a contrasting aggressive batting style, scoring 177 runs for one wicket in just 15.4 overs, while CSK's approach was more cautious. Fleming attributed this to a lack of confidence within the team.

"We are not intentionally playing conservatively; it's more about a dip in confidence and frequent changes in personnel," he explained.

CSK's innings began slowly, with their first boundary coming at the end of the third over, largely thanks to debutant Ayush Mhatre's quick 32 runs off 15 balls, which helped them reach 48 runs for one wicket during the power play.

However, despite Mhatre's efforts, CSK struggled under pressure, even as Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube formed a solid partnership, adding 79 runs for the fourth wicket.

Fleming remarked on the need for a more proactive approach, stating, "They felt the ball was stopping, which made it challenging, but we need to maintain aggression throughout our innings."

He concluded, "We are working to find a rhythm that will allow us to compete effectively. Currently, we may excel in one area while faltering in another, which is often the case when luck is not on your side."

Fleming reiterated the team's commitment to improving and discovering new talent as they navigate the remainder of the season.