After KKR, Stephen Fleming digs Chepauk curator's grave post CSK's loss to RCB

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming has made a huge statement on home advantage following their heavy defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The head coach stated that the Super Kings have struggled to read the nature of the pitches at their home ground in recent years.

CSK suffered their first home loss to the Royal Challengers since 2008. The Chepauk pitch appeared to favor seamers over spinners on Friday, March 28. The Super Kings conceded 196 runs after opting to bowl first. In response, the home team failed to chase down the target and suffered a heavy 50-run defeat.

There Was No Home Advantage at Chepauk - Stephen Fleming

At the post-match press conference, Stephen Fleming admitted that Chepauk’s pitches have not been as favorable to spinners in recent years. Fleming added that CSK have struggled to read the conditions at their home ground.

"Well, as we've been telling you for a number of years, there was no home advantage at Chepauk," Fleming said after CSK suffered their biggest defeat at home.

"We've won away from home a couple of times. And we haven't been able to read… we've been really honest with you. We haven't been able to read the wickets here in the last couple of years. So, it's not new. We are trying to come to grips each day with what we get, and we don't know," he added.

It's Not the Old Chepauk - Stephen Fleming

The former New Zealand skipper pointed out that there was a time when the team could play four specialist spinners at Chepauk. He added that they must put in extra effort to assess the changing pitch conditions, which have become unpredictable.

"It's not the Chepauk [of old] where you can just go in and play four spinners," Fleming said. "We're having to work really hard to try and understand what the nature of each pitch is, and it's quite different."

CSK's spin trio of Noor Ahmad, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja was expected to be a major threat. However, only Noor delivered, picking up three wickets. Jadeja went wicketless, conceding 37 runs in his three overs, while Ashwin managed just one wicket for 22 runs in his two-over spell.

Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s pacers, Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, combined for figures of 4 wickets for 41 runs in 7 overs.

We Have Firepower All the Way Through - Stephen Fleming

Stephen Fleming was questioned about CSK’s batting approach in the same press conference. He added that the team possesses as much firepower as any other side. Fleming assured that CSK plays an aggressive brand of cricket and should not be underestimated.

"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 and have a little bit of luck go away, we'll see at the end. Just see at the end who wins it. It's a positive brand of cricket, no doubt about it, but don't discount us."

The Super Kings are currently in seventh place on the points table, with their net run rate taking a hit after the heavy defeat. They will aim to bounce back when they take on the Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday, March 30.

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