Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming doesn’t believe in fairy tales in sport but Ravindra Jadeja’s near-improbable heist that took his side to its fifth IPL trophy might come closest to it.
With 13 needed to win in the final over against Gujarat Titans, CSK managed only three runs off the first four balls before Jadeja smashed Mohit Sharma for a six and a four off the last two deliveries to literally snatch the Cup from the defending champion’s grasp.
“They say there are no fairy tales in the sport, but it was a pretty good one today. It has been a bit difficult 18 months where, as the captaincy was difficult, the injury was difficult, it took a bit of time from out of the game for him to come back into and be reintegrated into the Test side, and then re-integrate into CSK,” Fleming said of Jadeja after Monday’s final, which finished around 1.40am on Tuesday.
In fact, Fleming had in his mind conceded defeat before the final two deliveries were bowled by Mohit.
“We have lost finals on the last ball which is an absolute heartache. I was gearing up for another heartache when Jaddu hit one for six and there could have been more heartache or more joy, I was not sure.
“But when I saw the ball go down, finally there was pure joy. This competition takes you to emotional levels that you cannot imagine,” the Kiwi added.
Fleming explained Jadeja’s shot selection.
“The six, I think, in particular of the ball which was pretty close to being perfect, was defining, and then left-handed drive to the fine leg. It was a great way to finish it. I couldn’t be more happy for him. There has been some frustration at times, but he is our gun player, he is a No 1 ranked player and today he delivered,” Fleming added.
Cricket has always been a game of fine margins, believes Fleming. “I think the last couple of balls summed that up — if you just missed a yorker or go down the leg side.”