The Texas Super Kings’ head coach, Stephen Fleming, is usually a stoic person who rarely lets emotion show. Seldom has he been spotted looking ecstatic, even in the high-stakes IPL. This is the same man who, while coaching the Chennai Super Kings, remained unflappable during several IPL victories. But when Zia-ul-Haq created a stunning, swirling yorker to trick Heinrich Klaasen into a golden duck, that infrequent moment of obvious joy did come. It was a wicket that penetrated Fleming’s cold shell as well as the defense of the dangerous Klaasen.
To be fair, Stephen Fleming, who is coming off a lackluster IPL season with CSK, has been given a much-needed break by the Texas Super Kings. For the first time in its illustrious history, the franchise finished at the bottom of the standings. On the other hand, TSK has jumped right into the MLC, winning all three of their away games in the San Francisco phase of the competition. They will be hoping that this winning streak turns into a full-fledged juggernaut as they head back to Dallas for a critical four-game home stretch now that momentum is solidly on their favor.
TSK would be encouraged by the fact that both homegrown players and international stars have contributed significantly to their winning run. Faf du Plessis has had a rather quiet MLC campaign after the highs of the previous season, while Devon Conway has found resemblances to his run-machine self. One of the most notable benefits has been the rise of Sai Teja Mukkamalla, the young batting star from the USA. His middle-order position provides the ideal buffer, enabling the team to save a seasoned international for the final stages of the innings.
“I think what’s impressed me the most about Sai is his intent he shows while new at the crease. Coming in and getting those boundaries straight away, which means it eases the pressure on the other batter at the other end. So today, for example, I think he took a lot of pressure away from Darrell Mitchell with the way he took on the bowling. I think that kind of intent is very important. As he plays, he will learn how to convert those 30s into 50s and maybe 70s and so forth. But I think at this stage, the intent that he shows and his ability to score boundaries within his first five balls is what has been most impressive, and that’s something we don’t want him to change,” said Sreedharan Sriram, part of TSK’s coaching staff.
TSK has been strengthened by the efforts of seasoned domestic mainstays like Calvin Savage and Zia-ul-Haq in addition to the rise of Sai Teja Mukkamalla. Savage orchestrated a fierce comeback against bitter rivals MI New York, constructing a counterattacking half-century that was the deciding factor in a close victory of three runs. carrying on from the previous season, when he batted at No. 7 but made significant lower-order cameos that propelled him to third on TSK’s run charts.
Zia, on the other hand, has been using the ball to breathe fire. In a low-scoring battle, he led the Seattle Orcas to destruction, drawing on all of his experience. The benefits TSK is receiving from supporting a stable core are reflected in these performances. Since the first season, they have relied on and continued to use it.
“I think he’s been exceptional for us right through, not only today, he’s been willing to learn. He’s got a great appetite, has a great attitude. He’s come running, and he’s hitting the right length. Hits the straps from ball one. So he set the tone for us so very well, and for a local guy to do that, just complements what we have at the other end with extreme pace of Nandre Burger or Adam Milne”
A successful campaign is frequently subtly ignited by little sparks. Daryl Mitchell gave the Texas Super Kings a boost after they were crushed by a vicious 18-run over from Kieron Pollard. The calm Kiwi all-rounder’s tenacity surprised the Trinidadian with a quick run-out off his own bowling, which gave the TSK a foot in the door to win by three runs. Most would have mentally collapsed following such an attack.
With a third of the league games played, TSK is currently comfortably atop the standings after thrashing their next two opponents. It remains to be seen if Stephen Fleming, who is usually phlegmatic, will go through the full range of emotions in three months, from the pain of a bottom-table finish with CSK to the possible joy of a title run with TSK. However, for the time being, the evidence clearly favors them.
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