Stephen Fleming defends CSK players after KKR loss

Kolkata, May 4 (CRICKETNMORE) - Defending his players after the loss to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) game here, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming said the team has performed well so far and

Giving credit to KKR spinners, Fleming said: "Their spinners were one of our main concerns. Narine is quality both at the start or at the end of the innings. The way he bowls, he takes a couple of overs out of your innings. He stunted momentum."It's just another night where we were just fractionally off and as a team we just can't afford to do that. We were not that good a side where we can have bad days and still get win. We can compete but the result is probably appropriate." Fleming also lauded U-19 World Cup winning batsman Shubman Gill whose unbeaten 36-ball 57 helped KKR get past the line. 

Top order batsman Gill, who had to bat at No.7 in the previous matches, was promoted to No.4 on Thursday in the absence of the injured Nitish Rana. The 18-year-old from Punjab grabbed the opportunity with both hands and played a classy innings."He played well. It was interesting when the two youngsters were at the crease. We looked to put pressure on them. Some of his shotmaking maybe a bit predetermined but it's exciting to watch. Gill got more composure. He's been batting down the order, it was his first real opportunity. He took that opportunity and played a big part winning the match," Fleming said.CSK next take on Royal Challengers Bangalore at their newly adopted home town of Pune on Saturday.