Fleming seeks more penetration from spinners

The runners up of Pepsi IPL 2014, Kings XI Punjab, have managed two wins from five matches so far in this season. Their latest win was in a thrilling super-over which ended Rajasthan Royals’ unbeaten streak.That confidence boosting victory perhaps came at the perfect time for the men in red and silver.

This is that phase of the tournament where teams will try to pip each other to the post on the points table to seek safety in the latter part of the league stage. It is also the perfect mindset for KXIP to go with into a very tough game – against Chennai Super Kings in Chennai.KXIP skipper, George Bailey, said his team can beat the big fish in its own pond but that they will have to produce their best game in all departments.

“We certainly do have the team to beat them but it will be hard,” Bailey said on the eve of the match. “CSK are a strong side and they have been playing good cricket in this tournament. We haven’t played at this venue for the last two years so it will take some time getting used to it.

But if we play well, we do have the right team to win.”Bailey said KXP will have to raise their standard significantly against CSK and play at their best – something he feels they haven’t done so far in the tournament.“To be perfectly honest, I don’t think in any of the three disciplines we have done as well as we would like consistently,” he said.

“We have bowled and batted well in patches. Our fielding has been steady but putting down those half chances can turn the game around. Our batting has been a little disappointing so far but that corner has turned in the last game.

”On the bowling front, Bailey said he was impressed with the two Indian pacers, Anureet Singh and Sandeep Sharma, who have grown into the roles assigned to them.“Sandeep is showing great capacity of taking wickets upfront, which is very important. A lot of teams look for a bowler who can break up the top order,” the KXIP skipper said.

“Anureet has shown how versatile he is to be able to bowl at any stage of the game. He has taken well to the death bowling role, which is a very difficult one. Our depth is pretty good.

We have Shardul Thakur, who had an outstanding Ranji Trophy. But we haven’t been able to get him in yet.”Keeping his cards close to his chest about the bowling plans against CSK’s dangerous openers, Bailey did hint that they can expect something out of the box.

“With CSK, you cannot go against them conventionally. Brendon and Dwayne are pretty good strikers of the ball, so you have to come up with different plans and options.”.

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