Fleming brands D/L method as 'rubbish' post Supergiants' drubbing

Rising Pune Supergiants coach Stephen Fleming has slammed the Duckworth-Lewis method and described it as 'rubbish' after his side suffered a heart wrenching eight-wicket defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders in their Indian Premier League (IPL) here at Eden Gardens last evening.

After opting to bat first, Pune Supergiants were struggling at 103-6 in 17.4 overs when the play was disrupted by rain.

According to the D/L method, Knight Riders were set a target of 66 from nine overs, which they achieved with four overs to spare.

Reflecting on the same, Fleming said the game was over as soon as the rule came into effect.

"Duckworth-Lewis is rubbish. As soon you get stuck with Duckworth-Lewis the game is over. We could have gone to 135, maybe 140, maybe we could have hit 25 runs in the last three overs. [A total of] 135 is good. The track was turning and it was going to be a difficult chase with our spinners, but as soon the Duckworth-Lewis and rain [came in] the game was over. Simple as that, Fleming was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

The former New Zealand player believes the D/L method is not at all suitable for the T20 format and it just spoils the team's chances who fields second.

The win also saw Knight Riders climb up to the second spot in the points table while Supergiants were pushed out of contention for a playoff spot.

Supergiants, which are currently languishing down to the bottom of league standings, will play the inconsequential match against Delhi Daredevils at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.