CSK sweat over skipper’s health

Chennai: M.S. Dhoni is doubtful for Wednesday’s IPL clash against table-toppers Delhi Daredevils as Chennai Super Kings sweat over the health of their skipper.

Dhoni missed the previous match against Mumbai due to a bout of fever and he hasn’t recovered yet. He missed Tuesday’s training session at Chepauk.

However, Ravindra Jadeja who had also missed the Mumbai match returned to practice. Coach Stephen Fleming said Dhoni’s health is progressing. “He’s been pretty sick during this week. We will make a call on him tomorrow. He is progressing which is good. We had a couple of changes forced upon us in the last game, but the performance was not due to the fact that we had made those changes. We are more comfortable going into this game. We have been pretty good, from success-wise, here at Chepauk,” he said.

Fleming said the defeat against Mumbai gave CSK the much-needed wake up call.

“Sometimes, just getting jolted out of the rhythm can be a good thing. Coming down the business end of the tournament, there is a lot on the line each game, so we are well aware of getting the selections right. We want to be as consistent as possible. And I don't see that changing,” he said.

Asked  if  CSK have spoken about how to fill the gap in case Dhoni misses out, Fleming said: “Yes, we have. Though it’s one game, here and there, that can be disruptive. If it’s two-three games in a row, you start preparing differently. Dhoni’s late pullout last game and also we have other big players who haven’t fired yet,” Fleming said.

“That’s an exciting aspect for us to work on those players who have got great IPL records up to speed. We can get them firing in the last four games. Sometimes you mask your holes. While missing someone like Dhoni, you can't pretend that you have a replacement for him. That would be wrong. We haven't over-analysed it. It's very simple; if Dhoni's not playing other players need to step up,” added Fleming.

Have you been surprised by how well Delhi performed this season?

The Kiwi said Delhi;s Kagiso Rabada has been in excellent form. “They probably have to settle on the middle-order overseas players. We can exploit that on a tougher track here,” he said.