A spark in the gloom: Fleming finds hope in Mhatre's breakout knock

"It weighs heavy," Stephen Fleming admitted, reflecting on what has been one of the toughest IPL campaigns in his long tenure with Chennai Super Kings. But even amid the "doom and gloom," the veteran coach found reason to hope for the future.

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Ayush Mhatre's 94 off 48 balls in a nerve-shredding two-run defeat in Bengaluru lit up an otherwise bruising night for CSK. And while Fleming was careful not to go overboard, he was unmistakably moved by what he saw from the 17-year-old, and by what he hopes is the start of a long player-franchise association.

"It's early days, but we have been very impressed with one of his skills, right from when he trialled and was with us in the early part of the season... but more his temperament, really," Fleming said. "It's one thing to have a lot of shots, but to be able to execute that game plan on a big stage in front of some of the biggest players in the world is what I admire. I think we have enjoyed a lot of the shot play from young players in this tournament and we're delighted that we've got one ourselves, so yes, excited about the future for him."

A mid-season injury replace-ment for Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mhatre entered a faltering campaign with little to lose and everything to prove. His arrival has now evoked familiar echoes, of the man he replaced. Back in 2020, Gaikwad himself had emerged during the dying embers of a similarly disappointing CSK season. He wasn't a replacement player then, but his late flourish gave CSK a glimpse of the future. Five years later, Gaikwad is not just a star batter but the team's captain. Mhatre, Fleming hopes, might just be another such beginning.