CSK have firepower to match RCB in batting prowess: Fleming

Chennai: Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming expects his side to match Royal Challengers Bangalore in batting prowess in their IPL match here on Saturday and said he has a weapon in off-spinner R Ashwin to unleash against dangerous Chris Gayle.

"May be it will be a high scoring game with the quality of hitters on show, and certainly with Gayle and Kohli in form you will expect them to fancy their chances of getting a big score. We are going to be equal to them," Fleming said. "We started poorly, so we have to come to grips with the conditions. We certainly did not bat well last time here (against Mumbai Indians). We batted very well and responded to self criticism from me, and Vijay and Hussey did very well (in the second game against Kings XI Punjab). And that is going to continue," he said at the pre-match press conference. On being reminded that Gayle and his captain Virat Kohli have not delivered against CSK at the Chepauk, Fleming said, "I would hope it (poor form in Chennai) to continue. It very much depends on the day, Ashwin has bowled very well to Gayle in the past. We have used him well. "Now we have got some more firepower. We are probably a stronger bowling side that what we have been in previous years. Whether that marries up to putting guys of high calibre under pressure, we have got to wait and see. But it`s an excellent challenge and good one for us here," said the former New Zealand captain. "There is excellent rivalry between the two sides and certainly respect the way they started. (They have won) three out of four games, playing very well at home. We have got a very good home record, that is one of our strengths," he said. He said the big win against KXIP has boosted the morale of his side after losing at home against MI in their campaign opener. "The morale is pretty high after the win (against KXIP). You always want to settle down fast and the longer it takes to get there, the more anxious you get. It affects right from the coaching staff to the players on the field," he said. PTI