'Our catching has been poor all season' - Stephen Fleming blames fielding lapses reason for CSK's poor run in IPL 2025

Chennai Super Kings’ head coach Stephen Fleming has pointed out fielding lapses as a reason behind the team’s underwhelming performance in the ongoing IPL 2025, following their fourth straight defeat, the latest one being against Punjab Kings. Despite improvements in the batting department, the five-time champions have struggled to convert opportunities on the field, which Fleming believes has been the difference between victory and defeat.

In their latest clash, CSK were handed an 18-run loss while chasing 220. The team got off to a strong start, with openers Rachin Ravindra and Devon Conway putting on 61 inside the powerplay. However, their run-flow dipped in the middle overs, and even a late cameo from Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni couldn’t take them over the line.

"The positives are we batted a bit better. We've had some substance from the top order, which was a bit lacking, so we were able to then construct the chase. We just weren't able to keep the run rate at a good level through the middle and it was just too much towards the end. But we've been in the game for a lot longer, which is a positive aspect," Fleming said at the post-match press conference. 

Also Read: IPL 2025: PBKS vs CSK, Match 22 – Full highlights, top moments & winner details

Certainly for us that was an area of concern: Stephen Fleming

Fielding has been a surprising weakness for CSK this season. With a catch efficiency of just 68.5%, the second-worst in the league, they have dropped 11 catches in five games. While the average across the league in the 2022–24 cycle was at 80.3%. Notably, in each of CSK’s four losses, the eventual Player of the Match had been dropped during their innings, including Priyansh Arya, who was given a lifeline twice before smashing a 39-ball century in the latest match. 

"The game was really lost in the field, I thought we were sloppy in the field, and we just lacked accuracy under pressure at certain times. We were put under pressure by a fine innings [from Arya] but we've got to be better than that in terms of shutting it down. So that's where the game got away from us. We're 18 runs short in a big run chase, so we can look at three sixes here and there. It's been a frustrating season so far. The catching has been poor, but it was poor from both sides tonight. Whether it was something in the light I'm not sure but certainly for us that was an area of concern. We weren't too far away," the coach added.

The fielding woes have also been connected to CSK’s aging squad. Since IPL 2018, the franchise has often fielded lineups with average ages above 30. While experience has been the main factor in their selection, there has been questions asked about age and reflexes.

"If you're going to win the IPL, you need your top three-four to get a majority of the runs. We haven't been doing that, so it was pleasing that we got off to a more solid start. We weren't able to just maintain a high momentum through the middle. Partly through good bowling, and maybe we were trying to push it too hard. It was something we'll review, but it's not a bad chase. It's three hits away but we just lost a little bit of momentum through the middle," Fleming concluded.