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Cheteshwar Pujara, the seasoned Indian Test batsman, has voiced his surprise at Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach Stephen Fleming's recent statement regarding the team not having any home advantage. Pujara, who himself was a part of the CSK setup in 2021, believes that CSK has always been a franchise that meticulously prepares its home pitches at the Chepauk Stadium to suit its own strengths and playing style. This makes Fleming's comment, in Pujara's view, rather unexpected and difficult to reconcile with his own experiences. The context for this discussion arises from CSK's recent home defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where they lost by a significant margin of 50 runs while chasing. This loss, considered CSK's heaviest home defeat while chasing, seems to have prompted Fleming to suggest that the team wasn't benefiting from playing on their home ground. However, Pujara's perspective is that CSK, along with other legacy franchises like Mumbai Indians (MI) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), typically have a considerable say in the kind of pitches they want to play on at their respective home venues. He argues that these franchises are generally successful in ensuring that the pitches align with their team's strengths and preferred playing conditions. This is in contrast to some other franchises, which may not have the same level of influence or control over pitch preparation. Pujara's comments shed light on the dynamics and potential advantages that certain established franchises might have within the Indian Premier League (IPL) ecosystem. The ability to influence pitch conditions can be a significant factor in determining a team's success, as it allows them to play to their strengths and exploit the weaknesses of their opponents. For instance, a team with a strong spin bowling attack might prefer pitches that offer more turn and grip, while a team with a pace-heavy attack might prefer pitches that offer more bounce and carry. In the case of CSK, Pujara suggests that the franchise has historically tailored its Chepauk pitches to suit its spin-oriented bowling attack and its batsmen who are adept at playing on slow, turning surfaces. This strategy has undoubtedly contributed to CSK's success over the years, as they have consistently been one of the top teams in the IPL. The debate over home advantage and pitch manipulation is not new in cricket, and it often sparks controversy and debate among players, coaches, and fans. Some argue that it is unfair for teams to have too much control over pitch preparation, as it can create an uneven playing field and disadvantage teams that are not as well-resourced or politically connected. Others argue that it is a legitimate strategy for teams to try to maximize their chances of winning by playing to their strengths and exploiting the conditions. Ultimately, the issue of home advantage and pitch manipulation is a complex one with no easy answers. It is important to consider the various perspectives and arguments before forming a judgment. However, Pujara's comments provide valuable insights into the inner workings of the IPL and the potential advantages that certain franchises might have in terms of influencing pitch conditions. This information can help to inform the ongoing debate and promote a more nuanced understanding of the factors that contribute to success in the IPL.
Furthermore, Pujara also addressed a potential weakness in the CSK batting lineup. He specifically pointed to the middle-order, comprising players like Deepak Hooda, Shivam Dube, Sam Curran, and even Mahendra Singh Dhoni, as an area of concern. According to Pujara, this middle-order needs to take on more responsibility and consistently deliver impactful performances if CSK is to remain competitive throughout the long and grueling IPL season. He suggested that while CSK's top-order, featuring players like Rachin Ravindra and Ruturaj Gaikwad, is undoubtedly a strength, the team cannot solely rely on them to score the bulk of the runs. The middle-order needs to step up and contribute significantly, especially when the top-order fails to fire. Pujara's assessment of the CSK middle-order highlights the importance of having a balanced and versatile batting lineup in T20 cricket. While explosive top-order batsmen are certainly valuable, they cannot always be relied upon to carry the team. The middle-order needs to be capable of providing stability, accelerating the scoring rate, and finishing games under pressure. In the case of CSK, the middle-order has traditionally played a crucial role in the team's success, providing valuable support to the top-order and ensuring that the team can consistently score competitive totals. However, Pujara's comments suggest that the current middle-order may not be performing up to its full potential, and that this could be a potential weakness that opponents will look to exploit. To address this issue, CSK may need to consider making changes to its batting lineup or providing its middle-order batsmen with more specific roles and responsibilities. The team may also need to work on its middle-order's ability to adapt to different game situations and handle pressure. Ultimately, the success of CSK's batting lineup will depend on the ability of its middle-order to step up and consistently deliver impactful performances. Pujara's comments serve as a timely reminder of this crucial aspect of the game, and they highlight the importance of having a balanced and versatile batting lineup in T20 cricket.
In addition to his concerns about the middle-order, Pujara also suggested that CSK may need to adopt a more aggressive batting approach. He noted that the team's traditional template has been to either chase targets in the range of 150-160 or defend totals in the vicinity of 170. However, Pujara believes that a shift in playing philosophy is needed, even if it means scoring at a quicker clip. He argued that CSK needs to be prepared to score more aggressively, especially in situations where they are chasing a high total or need to accelerate the scoring rate in the latter stages of an innings. Pujara's suggestion reflects the evolving nature of T20 cricket, where scoring rates have been steadily increasing over the years. Teams are now expected to score at a faster pace than ever before, and the ability to consistently hit boundaries is becoming increasingly important. In the past, CSK has often relied on its disciplined bowling attack and its ability to control the scoring rate to win matches. However, with the increasing emphasis on aggressive batting, the team may need to adapt its approach and be prepared to score more quickly. This could involve promoting batsmen who are known for their aggressive hitting, or it could involve encouraging existing batsmen to take more risks and play with greater freedom. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to adopt a more aggressive batting approach will depend on CSK's overall strategy and the specific conditions of each match. However, Pujara's comments highlight the importance of being adaptable and willing to adjust one's approach in response to the changing dynamics of the game. The world of cricket, especially the high-octane realm of T20 leagues like the IPL, is constantly evolving. Strategies and tactics that were once considered effective can quickly become outdated as teams adapt and innovate. Pujara's insights, gleaned from his own experiences and observations of the game, provide valuable context and perspective on the challenges and opportunities that CSK faces as they navigate the current season. Whether it's the debate over home advantage, the need for a stronger middle-order, or the potential shift towards a more aggressive batting approach, Pujara's analysis offers a compelling and insightful look into the inner workings of one of the IPL's most successful franchises.
Source: CSK always make pitches as per their strengths, so its surprising: Pujara on Fleming comment