I'd unashamedly say that it's your home ground..: Stephen Fleming slams Chepauk pitch after defeat against LSG

Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming lashed out at the Chepauk pitch over lack of assistance for the spinners after his team's defeat against Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday (April 23).

CSK suffered a dismal six-wicket defeat as they failed to defend a big total of 210 runs at their home ground. It was also their first defeat of the season at home. CSK looked destined to win the game after a century from their captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and a whirlwind half-century from Shivam Dube powered them to a big total of 210/4 in 20 overs.

In reply, LSG were reeling at 33 for 2 inside the powerplay with two of their main batters - KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock - back in the hut. However, Marcus Stoinis waged a lone battle and single-handedly inflicted a six-wicket defeat on CSK.

The Australia allrounder came up with one of the best knocks in the history of IPL to power LSG to a famous win. Stoinis scored an unbeaten 124 runs off 63 balls as LSG chased down 2011 runs with three balls remaining.

Stephen Fleming unhappy with the pitch:

Following the defeat, Stephen Fleming did not shy away from criticising the pitch in Chennai over not favouring the home side. The former New Zealand captain pointed out the lack of support for the spinners on the pitch. He went on to say that CSK's spin department has been made redundant due to the pitch.

CSK's spinners - Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali bowled two overs each in the game, conceding 16 and 21 runs respectively without picking any wicket. With the spinners not being able to make any impact, CSK relied on the fast-bowlers. However, dew nullified the pacers' impact as well as LSG chased down the total in the last over.

"We've had one pitch which was an excellent one I think, it turned and we won comfortably. Yeah, I'd like more synergy between the pitch and what we're trying to do. And I'd unashamedly say that it's your home ground, you got to defend and you pick teams accordingly," said Stephen Fleming.

"So when it's out of sync, you find it very difficult. It's not quite right yet but you just got to be good enough to play what's in front of you. We know that we can be stronger if conditions were a little bit different.

"If you look at that we've got spinners in the side, Theekshana as well. But it nullifies that when there's nothing really going on and then there's the dew as well makes it very difficult. We can wish for it, but if we don't get it we just have to get on with it. So that's what we're doing. But it does take a key component out of our attack. We've got Pathirana who's a weapon, Fiz has done well when it's slow but the spin department has been made redundant and I'd love it to change," he added.

Meanwhile, CSK have dropped to the fifth spot in the points table after the defeat against LSG. They now have four wins and as many losses in IPL 2024. LSG, on the other hand, are at the fourth spot with five wins and three defeats.