Stephen Fleming, the coach of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), expressed his utmost satisfaction and admiration for Ravindra Jadeja’s exceptional performance in the IPL final, labeling him as a phenomenal player.
Jadeja, whose batting contributions had been inconsistent throughout the tournament, emerged as the hero for CSK in the crucial final against the Gujarat Titans (GT) held on Monday. In a nail-biting contest marred by rain, Jadeja exhibited remarkable composure by smashing a six and a four, successfully scoring the required 10 runs from the last two balls. This remarkable feat allowed CSK to chase down the revised target of 171 runs in just 15 overs, securing their fifth IPL title.
During the post-match press conference, Fleming acknowledged Jadeja’s outstanding performance and highlighted his significant contributions as a bowler for the team. This season, Jadeja had an exceptional run with the ball, scalping 20 wickets in 16 matches.
Fleming reflected on the challenges Jadeja faced over the past 18 months, including the difficulties of captaincy and injuries. He commended Jadeja’s ability to bounce back and make a strong impact in Test cricket before reintegrating into the CSK squad. While Jadeja’s primary role is as a bowler, the team sometimes deploys him lower down the batting order due to the wealth of batting talent in the lineup.
Fleming credited CSK captain MS Dhoni for his proactive approach in promoting Jadeja up the batting order, recognizing his potential as a match-winner. He highlighted the significance of Jadeja’s six, which came off a near-perfect delivery, as a defining moment in the match. The coach also praised Jadeja’s elegant left-handed straight drive through fine leg, which sealed the victory for CSK.
Expressing his happiness for Jadeja, Fleming acknowledged the occasional frustrations but reiterated that Jadeja is a phenomenal player and the top-ranked performer in the game. He emphasized the importance of Jadeja’s contributions to CSK’s success and commended his ability to deliver under pressure in the final.
With this triumph, CSK further solidified their position as one of the most successful franchises in the history of the IPL. The exceptional performance by Jadeja, coupled with the team’s overall resilience and determination, contributed to their well-deserved victory in the IPL 2023 final.
