CSK targets RCB top order

Bangalore: Aware that Royal Challengers Bangalore have a top-order which can destroy any attack on their day, Chennai Super Kings are aiming to polish off their top three batsmen early when they lock horns in an IPL match on Saturday.

"We have our work cut out. If it is a high-scoring game, and if any of their top three get away. It`s always been a case in Bangalore, hopefully if we could get the top-order wickets early on then we could control the runs and the game," CSK coach Stephen Fleming said. Fleming, who captained New Zealand for a record 80 matches, said the team got to be smart as a bowling unit against Gayle. "There are two or three bowlers we use. Ashwin has had some success against Chris, Morris got him out the first time up in the last game in Chennai. The other bowlers too need to be disciplined. Chris can launch into any bowler, he has been very smart in the opening overs and then he starts his attack with bowlers three, four, five being targeted," he said. Fleming, the highest run-getter for New Zealand who scored 7,172 runs, said CSK have been lucky to get Gayle out on a number of occasions. "We just got to make sure we are in the right areas and hopefully it will be our day. He is being remarkably consistent, he has been dynamic, his consistency especially on this ground has to be admired," he said. Asked whether the team would field players who haven`t got a chance so far, Fleming said it would depend upon the outcome of Rajasthan Royals match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. "If Rajasthan don’t win tonight then we are confirmed atleast for now at second and that would mean that we will not be in the second semi-final (play-off) and that would give us an opportunity to field a few players, who haven?t had a chance," he said. "But having said that, CSK are not going to throw away the opportunity against RCB because consistency has been their key. Yes a few guys are tired and there have been a few injuries. But if Rajasthan wins then we just need to win big against Bangalore and confirm that first semi-final spot. There is a lot of focus on getting that extra line," he said. Fleming said whenever a team is desperate, they play their best and RCB would do likewise. "In Bangalore, there has been last-over finishes and the proximity of the two cities means a pretty strong rivalry and that is not lost on us. It is going to be a tough game." Fleming said the players are getting tired because of the length of the competition and that?s when injuries creep in. "Yes there are a few niggles. We are working on Dirk Nannes. (Albie) Morkel, we are nursing a bit with him. We will always have a few players, who are injured," he said. PTI