Chennai Super Kings (CSK) secured a much-needed victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by five wickets on April 14, ending a streak of five consecutive defeats. The victory came thanks to captain MS Dhoni's stellar performance, which included stumping and a miraculous runout to restrict LSG to 166 runs, followed by a quickfire 26 runs off 11 balls to seal the win.
However, despite the triumph, Dhoni expressed frustration over the state of the Chepauk pitch in Chennai, which he believes is hindering CSK's performance. In a post-match interview, Dhoni pointed out that the team’s struggles on their home ground have been due to the slow nature of the pitch. He emphasized that the batsmen have performed better on pitches outside Chennai, suggesting that a faster pitch would boost their confidence and help them play more freely.
Dhoni’s comments come in light of CSK’s recent poor record at home, having lost three consecutive matches at Chepauk for the first time in IPL history. While CSK has traditionally dominated at home with spin-friendly wickets, Dhoni noted that the pitch no longer offers the same turn, making it difficult for his spinners to capitalize on their strengths.
“This season, when we've played away, our batsmen have performed better,” Dhoni said. “We need to play on a pitch that’s a little better for batting. This will give the batsmen the confidence to play their shots and avoid timid cricket.”
Dhoni's concerns align with those expressed by other captains and coaches. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane had previously hinted at dissatisfaction with the Chepauk pitch, choosing not to elaborate for fear of it becoming news. Additionally, Lucknow Super Giants' Zaheer Khan had also voiced concerns over the slow pitch.
CSK's victory came after a tough start to the season, marking only their second win after five losses. The win has lifted spirits in the team, but Dhoni’s remarks about the pitch indicate that the road ahead may still be challenging if the conditions at Chepauk don't improve.
