Chennai Tremendous Kings’ head coach Stephen Fleming has identified fielding lapses as a cause behind the group’s underwhelming efficiency within the ongoing IPL 2025, following their fourth straight defeat, the newest one being towards Punjab Kings. Regardless of enhancements within the batting division, the five-time champions have struggled to transform alternatives on the sector, which Fleming believes has been the distinction between victory and defeat.
Of their newest conflict, CSK have been handed an 18-run loss whereas chasing 220. The group bought off to a powerful begin, with openers Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway placing on 61 contained in the powerplay. Nonetheless, their run-flow dipped within the center overs, and even a late cameo from Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni couldn’t take them over the road.
“The positives are we batted a bit higher. We have had some substance from the highest order, which was a bit missing, so we have been in a position to then assemble the chase. We simply weren’t in a position to hold the run price at a very good degree by means of the center and it was simply an excessive amount of in direction of the tip. However we have been within the sport for lots longer, which is a optimistic side,” Fleming mentioned on the post-match press convention.
Additionally Learn: IPL 2025: PBKS vs CSK, Match 22 – Full highlights, prime moments & winner particulars
Actually for us that was an space of concern: Stephen Fleming
Fielding has been a stunning weak spot for CSK this season. With a catch effectivity of simply 68.5%, the second-worst within the league, they’ve dropped 11 catches in 5 video games. Whereas the typical throughout the league within the 2022–24 cycle was at 80.3%. Notably, in every of CSK’s 4 losses, the eventual Participant of the Match had been dropped throughout their innings, together with Priyansh Arya, who was given a lifeline twice earlier than smashing a 39-ball century within the newest match.
“The sport was actually misplaced within the subject, I believed we have been sloppy within the subject, and we simply lacked accuracy beneath stress at sure occasions. We have been put beneath stress by a fantastic innings [from Arya] however we have to be higher than that by way of shutting it down. In order that’s the place the sport bought away from us. We’re 18 runs quick in an enormous run chase, so we are able to take a look at three sixes right here and there. It has been a irritating season to date. The catching has been poor, but it surely was poor from each side tonight. Whether or not it was one thing within the gentle I am unsure however definitely for us that was an space of concern. We weren’t too far-off,” the coach added.
The fielding woes have additionally been related to CSK’s ageing squad. Since IPL 2018, the franchise has usually fielded lineups with common ages above 30. Whereas expertise has been the principle issue of their choice, there was questions requested about age and reflexes.
“If you are going to win the IPL, you want your prime three-four to get a majority of the runs. We’ve not been doing that, so it was pleasing that we bought off to a extra strong begin. We weren’t in a position to simply keep a excessive momentum by means of the center. Partly by means of good bowling, and possibly we have been attempting to push it too laborious. It was one thing we’ll assessment, but it surely’s not a nasty chase. It is three hits away however we simply misplaced slightly little bit of momentum by means of the center,” Fleming concluded.
Get each cricket updates! Comply with Us: