CSK are currently languishing at the bottom of the points table with 2 wins in 8 games.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni on Friday (April 25) acknowledged that his team has not been able to read the wickets at the MA Chidambaram Stadium properly.
Dhoni’s remark came during the toss ahead of their home IPL 2025 fixture against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). The 43-year-old said ever since the pitch was relayed in 2010, things have not been the same for the franchise in the cash-rich league.
Dhoni also dismissed the claims that CSK prefer to play on slower tracks, saying that his side wants consistency in how the pitches will behave in Chennai.
Earlier, after the defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), CSK head coach Stephen Fleming claimed that his team has no home advantage as they have been unable to read the surfaces at Chepauk.
"I've said that since 2010. Most people think that when I say I'm not sure about the wicket over here, we want a slower track, and we keep saying it. But that has been the case. Once the wicket was relayed after 2010, we returned to the Champions League, and it has not been the same. They're trying their level best, but we are never sure this is how the wicket is," Dhoni said during the toss.
"Sometimes batting first is a very good thing. Sometimes, batting second. So, the groundsmen are trying their best, but it's a different science altogether. So I feel the old red soil wicket was very good. It suited the environment away," he added.
Having lost six of their eight matches, CSK are staring at a first-round exit from the ongoing IPL season. The five-time champions are currently languishing at the bottom of the 10-team points table.
Dhoni conceded that his team hasn’t played well in the 18th edition of the IPL, and there is plenty of room for improvement.
"200 per cent. Almost in all departments, whether batting, bowling or even the fielding department. When you're not playing good cricket, chances are you also transfer that pressure to other boys. So, it's quite evident, but it is still important to enjoy the cricket, do what you want to do, express yourself, forget the result," Dhoni stated.
"You want to get the process right. It is important for us to take one game at a time because, looking at six games right now, it may be too far ahead. We're looking for a few combinations, people who are getting a chance. Make sure that, whatever you want to do on the field, just back it up, have confidence in your own ability and look to execute what you want to," he remarked.
For the SRH game, CSK made two changes to their playing XI. They brought in Dewald Brevis and Deepak Hooda in place of Rachin Ravindra and Vijay Shankar.