CSK's once impenetrable fortress at Chepauk has turned into familiar ground for opposition wins, with only one win from five matches played at home
Pic: iplt20/BCCI
Chennai Super Kings find themselves on the brink of an ignominious record as they prepare to host the Punjab Kings in what has become a fight to salvage pride rather than chase playoff hopes.
With just two wins in nine outings, the five-time champions are languishing at the bottom of the table. In contrast, PBKS sit comfortably in fifth place, having secured five victories, three defeats, and one no-result.
This season has been a forgettable chapter in CSK's storied legacy. Their once impenetrable fortress at Chepauk has turned into familiar ground for opposition wins, with only one win from five matches played at home. What began on a positive note, an opening win over arch-rivals Mumbai Indians, has quickly unraveled into a string of underwhelming performances.
The first dent in their home dominance came at the hands of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who ended CSK’s long-standing unbeaten home record dating back to 2008. Chasing 197, Chennai stumbled to 146/8, setting the tone for further struggles.
Delhi Capitals were next to exploit the vulnerabilities. A commanding 77-run knock from KL Rahul, supported by stellar spells from Vipraj Nigam and Kuldeep Yadav, saw DC defend 184 comfortably, restricting CSK to 158/5.
The spiral continued with a crushing defeat to the Kolkata Knight Riders. CSK’s batting unit crumbled against spin, managing only 103/9 as Sunil Narine (3/13) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/22) dismantled their lineup. KKR chased the target with ease, sealing the match with 59 balls to spare.
A fourth home loss came against Sunrisers Hyderabad in a match that echoed past heartbreaks from the 2008 and 2012 seasons, both of which ended with CSK falling short in the final. Harshal Patel's 4/28 derailed CSK’s innings at 154, despite promising efforts from Ayush Mhatre (30) and Dewald Brevis (42). SRH chased the target in 18.4 overs, led by Ishan Kishan (44) and a composed finish from Kamindu Mendis (32*) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (19*).
With one more defeat, CSK risk registering their worst-ever home season. As they face PBKS, the stakes are no longer about playoff contention, but about restoring lost pride and ensuring Chepauk remains a citadel, not a memory.
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