Trending

'At CSK you can't complain... I'm quite surprised': Cheteshwar Pujara disagrees with coach Stephen Fleming's 'no home advantage' outburst

IPL 2025: Cheteshwar Pujara does not feel that franchises like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders do not have a say in pitch preparation.

Sports Tak

• Sat • 29 Mar 2025

Former RCB batter Cheteshwar Pujara plays a shot; CSK head coach Stephen Fleming.

Highlights:

CSK managed to score 146 for 8 in the run chase.

CSK lost to RCB by 50 runs.

CSK lost to RCB at home after 17 years.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach on March 28 claimed that the hosts don't have a 'home advantage' at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. The comments were made after the historic 50-run defeat at the hands of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Former CSK squad member Cheteshwar Pujara was left 'surprised' by Fleming's comments. Pujara said that CSK is one of the franchises who shouldn't complain about not having home advantage.

"It is [surprising] because at CSK you can't complain, it's one franchise where they've been preparing pitches according to their strengths. You should [use home advantage]; if he's saying that [there is no home advantage] they don't have a say, then I'm quite surprised,” Pujara said on ESPNcricinfo's TimeOut show.

"If you speak about MI, CSK, KKR - I don't think that's the case [them not getting pitches they ask for]. Any other franchise, I can still understand. Those [three] franchises make sure they get what they want. Their strength has been when they play at home,” Pujara added.

CSK took 19.1 overs to chase down 155 against Mumbai Indians (MI). In their second game against RCB, CSK managed to post 146/8 while chasing 197. This was CSK's first defeat at home to RCB since the inaugural edition in 2008.

ALSO READ: Lahore-born Muhammad Abbas breaks all-time ODI world record of Indian all-rounder on debut with 26-ball 52 vs Pakistan

Fleming said that they have not bee able to read the wickets in Chepauk for the last couple of years.

"Well, as we've been telling you for a number of years, there was no home advantage at Chepauk," Fleming told the reporters. "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."

ALSO READ: 'That coaching staff does not have guts to tell MS Dhoni to...': KKR's IPL 2012-winner's blunt take on CSK legend scoring 30 off 16 balls at no.9 in losing cause

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

CSK's next game is at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on March 30 agianst Rajasthan Royals (RR). While CSK won their first game, RR are yet to open their win account.