Chennai Super Kings Bowling coach Eric Simmons was a happy man on Friday as MS Dhoni’s side got the IPL 2024 underway in style, winning their opening encounter against Royal Challengers Bengaluru with eight ball to spare. Simmons, speaking after the match, heaped praises on Bangladesh bowler Mustafizur Rahman and laid bare their plans for Virat Kohli’s side.
Mustafizur Rahman shone with the ball for Chennai Super Kings, taking four quick wickets to make sure Royal Challengers Bengaluru never got the momentum while batting first. Simons heaped praises on Mustafizur, saying it was the simplicity of the plan that worked.
“We always planned according to the conditions and the balance of the side. Mustafizur did suit the conditions today but it was the simplicity of the plan that we put forward and he executed it beautifully today,” Simons said.
Simons also said they allow their players the freedom to express themselves.
He said, “I think the important thing in these kind of tournaments is to coach people to be themselves. I think that is the way the guys like to play whether its with the bat or the ball. It’s important to express yourself and play the way you like. We have quite a lot of depth in the team, it allows us to play with that freedom and be intimidating to the opposition.”
Simons stressed on the need for providing players with the freedom to express themselves and said they believed in each player having their own blueprint to success.
Latest News on IPL
“The most important things is the freedom. Its the freedom to express yourself, the freedom to fail, but most importantly, the freedom to be yourself. You can’t pick a team with 6 Chris Gayles. It’s very important that Ajinkya Rahane doesn’t be like Chris Gayle and vice versa. Its really about finding your way to do it,” he said.
