IPL: Chennai Super Kings Will Take Confidence From Massive Win Over Bangalore, says Stephen Fleming

Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming said the win against Royal Challengers Bangalore in their final league match of IPL-7 have given his side much-needed confidence ahead of their clash against Kolkata Knight Riders in the playoffs. (Scorecard | Highlights | Match Report)

"We wanted to win today and have done that. I could not have asked for more, especially after comprehensively winning the game in 18th over. Now we go into the playoffs with confidence. The bowlers probably were feeling the pressure. Such performance really helps," he said.

Chennai Super Kings cruised to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over an Bangalore to strengthen their second place bid.

On seamer Ashish Nehra, Fleming said he was delighted with his comeback performance and his presence in the side helps the younger bowlers.

"His experience helps a lot. It is nice to see someone like Ashish to come, and hopefully finish the tournament on a high note as he did today. I thought he was outstanding and we needed an experienced Indian bowler to help young bowlers. He doesn't have a huge army of fans. People criticise him, but within the camp he is been excellent," he said.

Fleming said his bowlers were outstanding under pressure and picked up wickets at the right time to restrict Bangalore to a modest 154.

"We had the right guys bowling at the right time. It was very pleasing that in the first 20 overs with Nehra at the top got wickets at the right time," he said.

Fleming said his team dictated terms and that captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was excellent. "Today, we dictated a little bit and the skipper was excellent. To be honest, in the last three games that hasn't been one our strings, so the bowlers were outstanding under pressure," he said.

On Faf du Plessis' performance, Fleming said Brendon McCullum is a very aggressive opener but the South African provided an attacking element at the top and the partnership with Dwayne Smith secured the game for Chennai.

"Brendon is a very aggressive opener but Faf also provides an attacking element at the top and that (with Smith) partnership secured the game. This has created a talking point for us," he said.