Follow UsChennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming admitted that his team was once again extremely poor on the field, which played a major role in their fourth consecutive defeat in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. CSK lost to Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 18 runs and are currently ninth on the IPL 2025 points table.
Punjab hammered 219/6 in the first innings despite being 83/5 at the end of 8 overs. Young opener Priyansh Arya smashed 103 off 42 before Shashank Singh (36-ball 52*) and Marco Jansen (34* off 19) gave PBKS a solid finish.
However, this could have easily been avoided as Arya was dropped twice by Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Choudhary on 6 and 73 respectively, while Shashank was dropped by Rachin Ravindra when he was on 38. These drops easily cost CSK more than 60-70 runs. Overall, CSK have dropped the most number of catches (14) in the IPL 2025 and have the second-worst catch efficiency (62.2%).
"The game was really lost in the field, I thought we were sloppy in the field, and we just lacked accuracy under pressure at certain times. We were put under pressure by a fine innings (from Arya) but we've got to be better than that in terms of shutting it down. So that's where the game got away from us,” said Fleming, reported ESPNcricinfo.
"We're 18 runs short in a big run chase, so we can look at three sixes here and there. It's been a frustrating season so far. The catching has been poor, but it was poor from both sides tonight. Whether it was something in the light I'm not sure but certainly for us that was an area of concern."
CSK did do a couple of good things in the second innings, with their openers Ravindra (36 off 23) and Devon Conway (69 off 49) adding 61 runs in 6.3 overs. This is the first time CSK haven’t lost a wicket in the powerplay this season. Conway, however, couldn’t keep up with the required rate and was asked to retire out in the 18th over.
"The positives are we batted a bit better. We've had some substance from the top order, which was a bit lacking, so we were able to then construct the chase. We just weren't able to keep the run rate at a good level through the middle and it was just too much towards the end. But we've been in the game for a lot longer which is a positive aspect."
Coming in at No.5, MS Dhoni hit 27 off 12 but was left with too much to do. CSK got to 201/5 and fell short by 18 runs in the run chase. "If you're going to win the IPL you need your top three-four to get a majority of the runs," Fleming added.
"We haven't been doing that, so it was pleasing that we got off to a more solid start. We weren't able to just maintain a high momentum through the middle. Partly through good bowling and maybe we were trying to push it too hard. It was something we'll review, but it's not a bad chase. It's three hits away but we just lost a little bit of momentum through the middle."