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Ahead of Chennai Super Kings’ clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad, MS Dhoni made a rare admission: “Once the wicket was relayed after 2010, the wicket has never been the same.” In a tournament where CSK find themselves languishing at the bottom of the table with just two wins in eight matches, the remark struck a chord.

Once the most dominant side at home, Chennai has now lost three of four games at Chepauk this season, including a humiliating 103 all-out against KKR. The fortress has crumbled—RCB beat CSK here for the first time in 17 years, while Delhi Capitals ended a decade-long wait for a win at this venue.

What did MS Dhoni say at the toss?

“We are looking for a few combinations, we want to back some players and they have to come out with confidence. We are not too sure how the wicket is. Once the wicket was relayed after 2010, the wicket as never the same. The groundsmen have been trying a lot but it hasn’t quite happened. The old red soild surface was suitable for this. Brevis comes in for Rachin and Hooda comes in for Vijay.”

The MA Chidambaram Stadium, once famed for its slow, grippy surfaces that helped CSK build their spin-heavy dynasty, now behaves erratically. Despite being a red-soil pitch, known for aiding turn, the numbers suggest it’s become two-paced and less predictable.

The average first-innings score over the last 10 matches is just 151, dropping to 127 in the second innings. Pacers have outshone spinners in IPL 2025 at Chepauk—taking 74 wickets at a strike rate of 18.5, compared to spinners’ 25 wickets at 26.6.