Cheteshwar Pujara Critiques CSK’s Approach and Fleming’s Views on Home Advantage
Indian Test cricket star Cheteshwar Pujara has expressed skepticism about Chennai Super Kings’ (CSK) strategy, especially reacting to head coach Stephen Fleming’s remarks denying any home advantage at Chepauk. This comes after CSK faced a significant 50-run defeat against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at their home ground.
CSK’s Tactical Preparation Under Question
Pujara, who was part of the franchise in 2021, highlighted that CSK has traditionally tailored pitches to suit its strengths. The unexpected comment by Fleming that Chepauk no longer provides a home edge left Pujara and others questioning the existing match preparations.
- Heavy Home Defeat: The recent loss by a substantial margin called into attention the team’s strategy while playing on familiar ground.
- Responsibility on Middle-Order: With players like Deepak Hooda, Shivam Dube, Sam Curran, and MS Dhoni, more accountability is expected to be shouldered by the middle order to steady the team’s performances.
Comparison with Other Legacy Franchises
The batting master revealed that unlike other established teams such as Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), CSK’s recent games reflect a mismatch between preparation and performance. He also touched upon discontent within the KKR camp, where frustrations emerged due to unaccommodative pitch preparations against their favor.
“When you consider legacy teams; MI, CSK, KKR—they typically secure conditions that cater to their strengths. It’s a surprise to see any deviation from this norm, significantly impacting their gameplay,” Pujara expressed in an interview with ESPNCricinfo.
Urgent Need for Strategic Overhaul
Aware of the challenges, Pujara suggests a transformation in CSK’s tactical approach, emphasizing the necessity for the middle order to enhance performance drastically:
“They need to accelerate their scoring rate and cannot solely rely on the middle order. This shift needs to happen quickly if CSK wants to regain their standing and compete effectively in the ongoing tournament,” remarked Pujara.
Pujara also warned of the psychological impact of successive defeats on team morale, calling for a robust introspection within the team to overturn their diminishing form.
This critical examination from a seasoned player like Pujara puts CSK under the spotlight, suggesting a pivotal moment for the team to rethink strategies and regain their dominant form in the league.
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Last Updated: March 30, 2025
