Stephen Fleming’s fiery post-match outburst after Chennai Super Kings’ crushing defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Chepauk on Friday wasn’t entirely unjustified. The CSK head coach had plenty to be frustrated about, and his unexpected focus on the lack of ‘home advantage’ struck a chord. Known for shielding his players from public criticism, Fleming’s uncharacteristic meltdown hinted at deeper concerns.
Witnessing RCB hand CSK their heaviest home defeat in history was undoubtedly a bitter pill to swallow. With the 2024 season already a disappointment, Fleming might be dreading another lackluster campaign if CSK’s spinners continue to struggle on their home turf. The pitch became the obvious scapegoat, especially as the IPL seems entangled in a ‘home advantage’ dilemma this season, from Eden Gardens to Chepauk.
“As we’ve mentioned for several years, there’s no home advantage at Chepauk,” Fleming stated bluntly during the post-match press conference. “We’ve struggled to read the pitches here over the last couple of years. It’s not something new. We’re doing our best to adapt, but it’s a challenge every match.”
This narrative deviates from the usual calm and composed CSK storyline. The franchise, led by Fleming, MS Dhoni, and new captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, has always relied on processes over outcomes. However, Fleming’s frustration was valid. Last year, Chepauk’s pitches offered little assistance to spinners, with fast bowlers claiming 74 wickets compared to just 25 by the tweakers.
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“This isn’t the Chepauk of old where you could field four spinners and dominate,” Fleming remarked. “We’re working hard to understand the nature of each pitch, but it’s unpredictable.”
This raises an important question: Did CSK’s management falter by sticking to their auction template? The squad is heavily skewed towards spinners, and the acquisitions of players like Rahul Tripathi and Deepak Hooda have invited scrutiny. Fleming defended his team’s batting approach, stating, “We have firepower throughout the lineup.”
In fact, a question about CSK’s conservative batting seemed to rattle him. “I don’t understand the question,” Fleming snapped. “Just because we don’t go all out from the first ball and rely on a bit of luck doesn’t mean we’re lacking. We’ll see how things unfold by the end.”
It’s still early in the 2025 IPL season, but the term ‘home advantage’ has already become a hot topic. Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane kicked off the debate by requesting more turn at Eden Gardens. The curator’s response to Indiabet sparked nationwide discussions, and now Fleming has brought the issue to Chepauk.
