CSK’s Home Struggle Continues: Fleming Admits Chepauk Pitch Puzzle
The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) suffered a significant setback in IPL 2025, enduring their heaviest home defeat in recent years at the hands of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The 50-run loss highlighted CSK’s ongoing struggle to adapt to the evolving pitch conditions at their home ground, Chepauk. Head Coach Stephen Fleming acknowledged the team’s difficulties in deciphering the pitch, a recurring theme in recent seasons. Despite assembling a squad bolstered by spin bowling options during the auction, CSK found themselves outmaneuvered by RCB’s pace attack. Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar proved particularly effective, dismantling CSK’s batting lineup with combined figures of 4 wickets for 41 runs in their allotted 7 overs. Chasing a target of 197, CSK were never truly in contention, highlighting the stark contrast between their current struggles and their historically dominant performances at Chepauk.
Fleming’s post-match comments reflected the team’s frustration. “Well, as we’ve been saying for a number of years, there’s no home advantage at Chepauk,” he stated. “We haven’t been able to read the wickets here in the last couple of years. It’s not new. We are trying to come to grips each day with what we get, and we don’t know.” This candid admission underscores the difficulty CSK has faced in adjusting their strategies to a pitch that seems to be behaving differently than in the past.
Traditionally, CSK’s strength has resided in their spin bowling prowess, particularly at Chepauk. However, recent trends suggest a shift in the pitch’s character, favoring pace over spin. Last season’s statistics bear this out, with fast bowlers claiming 74 wickets at Chepauk compared to just 25 by spinners. Fleming acknowledged this change, stating, “It’s not the Chepauk [of old] where you can just go in and play four spinners. We’re having to work really hard to try and understand the nature of each pitch, and it’s quite different.” In the match against RCB, CSK anticipated that evening dew would assist their chase, making the ball skid on the surface. However, their assessment proved inaccurate, as the pitch became slower and stickier in the second innings.
Despite the mounting criticism surrounding their cautious approach to run chases, particularly in high-pressure situations, Fleming defended the team’s tactical decisions. He expressed frustration with questions about CSK’s playing style, asserting, “We talk about firepower, we have firepower all the way through. I don’t understand this question. Just because we don’t swing from ball one…we’ll see at the end. It’s a positive brand of cricket, no doubt about it, but don’t discount us.” This staunch defense suggests that CSK remains committed to their current approach, believing that it will ultimately yield positive results. While the loss to RCB was undoubtedly a setback, CSK remains determined to decipher the Chepauk puzzle and regain their home ground advantage. The team’s ability to adapt and evolve will be crucial in determining their success in the remainder of the tournament.
