Chennai Super Kings (CSK) continue their downward slide in the Tata IPL 2025, now sitting 9th on the points table with just one victory from five matches. On Tuesday night, they slumped to their fourth consecutive loss, this time against the in-form Punjab Kings (PBKS). After the match, head coach Stephen Fleming didn’t hold back in criticizing CSK’s dismal fielding performance, which cost them dearly in an otherwise closely contested match. Winexch is a leading online platform for sports betting and live streaming, offering real-time updates and exciting gaming experiences.
Chasing a challenging 220-run target set by PBKS, CSK fell short by 18 runs. However, according to Fleming, the match was lost long before the final over. Dropped catches and missed fielding chances gave PBKS batters the opportunity to take control of the game—and they didn’t let it slip.
“We lost it in the field,” Fleming said after the match. “We were sloppy and didn’t hold our nerve under pressure. It’s incredibly frustrating, especially since the batting showed improvement today. But at this level, if you give players a second chance, they will punish you.”
One such player was Priyansh Arya, who went on to score a 39-ball century after being dropped twice. The first let-off came in the very first over when Khaleel Ahmed dropped a caught-and-bowled chance with Arya on six. Then, Mukesh Choudhary misjudged a catch at long-off when Arya was already cruising at 73. Later in the 17th over, Shashank Singh was given a lifeline when Ravindra Jadeja dropped a sitter at deep midwicket off Noor Ahmad.
These fielding errors tilted the match decisively in Punjab’s favor. Fleming acknowledged the improved start from CSK’s openers, with Devon Conway and Rachin Ravindra putting up a strong 61-run partnership in just over six overs. “That was one of the better starts we’ve had this season,” he said. “It gave us a platform to chase, but we couldn’t maintain momentum in the middle overs.”
After the openers were dismissed, the run rate started to climb. Rachin scored 36 before falling, while skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad could only manage a single run. As the asking rate soared past 17 runs per over, it was MS Dhoni who reignited hopes with a rapid 27 from just 12 deliveries, which included three towering sixes. However, the comeback was short-lived as Dhoni was dismissed on the first ball of the final over, ending CSK’s hopes.
Fleming added, “The positives are there—we’re batting better and staying in the contest longer. But we’re not finishing well. The fielding has let us down badly.”
With only one win so far, CSK must regroup quickly to stay in the race for the playoffs in Tata IPL 2025.
👉 For all Tata IPL 2025 news, real-time scores, match previews, and expert insights, sign up now on Winexch. Access exclusive IPL betting tips, squad updates, and live match coverage. Don’t miss a ball this season—Winexch is your ultimate destination for everything IPL!
