CSK Can’t Complain: Former Chennai Super Kings Player Criticizes Stephen Fleming’s Comment on Chepauk Pitch After RCB Loss in IPL 2025
Former Chennai Super Kings (CSK) player Cheteshwar Pujara has criticized head coach Stephen Fleming’s remarks about the Chepauk pitch following their 50-run defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
CSK’s Struggles on Chepauk’s Pitch
CSK, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad, won the toss and opted to bowl first. However, despite Chepauk’s traditionally spin-friendly conditions, their experienced spinners—Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin—failed to make an impact. Jadeja went wicketless, while Ashwin managed only one dismissal (Devdutt Padikkal), conceding runs at high economy rates of 12.33 and 11.00, respectively.
After the match, Fleming stated that Chepauk no longer provides a “home advantage” for CSK, adding that the team has struggled to read pitch conditions in recent years.
“Well, as we’ve been telling you for a number of years, there is no home advantage at Chepauk. We’ve won away from home a couple of times, but we haven’t been able to read the wickets here in the last couple of years. So, it’s not new,” Fleming said in the post-match press conference.
Pujara Left Stunned by Fleming’s Comments
Fleming’s statement surprised Pujara, who believes the pitch actually assisted spinners more in the second innings. He pointed out that CSK has traditionally prepared pitches that suit their bowlers, making Fleming’s claim of “no home advantage” unexpected.
“It’s surprising because CSK is one franchise that has always prepared pitches according to their strengths. If he’s saying they don’t have a say in it, then I’m quite surprised,” Pujara said on ESPNcricinfo’s Time Out.
Pujara further argued that franchises like Mumbai Indians (MI), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and CSK usually have control over pitch conditions at their home grounds, making Fleming’s claim baseless.
“If you look at MI, CSK, and KKR, they ensure they get pitches that suit their strengths. Any other franchise, I could understand, but these teams always make sure they play to their advantage at home,” he added.
CSK’s Middle-Order Weaknesses Exposed
Pujara also addressed CSK’s middle-order struggles, which became evident in their biggest home defeat in IPL history. He acknowledged that while the opening pair of Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra is strong, the middle-order lacks readiness to handle pressure when the top order fails.
“Yes, their top order is their strength, but when they don’t perform, the middle order has to step up. Right now, they don’t seem fully prepared for that challenge,” he said.
After winning their first match and losing the second, CSK will aim to bounce back when they face Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati on March 30.
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