'Massive respect for what Nehra has done but...': Fleming's remark ahead of final
The Chennai Super Kings will take on Gujarat Titans in the 2023 Indian Premier League final in Ahmedabad.
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On Sunday evening, the Chennai Super Kings will face the Gujarat Titans in the 2023 Indian Premier League championship match. The team led by Mahendra Singh Dhoni will seek a fifth IPL championship, which would tie them with Mumbai Indians as the most successful team in the tournament's history. CSK and MI are the only teams to have won the IPL title on consecutive occasions. While CSK won the title in 2010 and 2011, MI accomplished the same achievement in 2019 and 2020.
The Titans will attempt to become the third team to reach this milestone, but CSK head coach Stephen Fleming believes it will be "extremely, extremely difficult" for the Hardik Pandya-led squad.
"So challenging! It will be extremely difficult for them (GT) to accomplish this (laughter). "No, they're a good team; you have to give them credit for what they've accomplished in a short period of time," Fleming said in the Saturday press conference before the game.
"The coaching staff is comprised of extremely well-balanced men, which I greatly admire. Ashish, despite all his babbling, has a tremendous comprehension of the game; after working with him in Chennai, his enthusiasm is extremely high. We have a tremendous level of respect for what they have done, but it is extremely difficult to respond in kind."
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Intriguingly, Gujarat Titans' team director Vikram Solanki also returned the favor, adding that the players' familiarity with the conditions in their 'home ground' should serve them well."We are unquestionably better for having played here, for having played in the final (last year) here, and for having won those important games. It has made us stronger," he said.
We are extremely grateful for the regard CSK has shown. They have been a great team for a considerable amount of time, and we respect that. Solanki added, "We are confident; whatever transpires on the day will transpire."
