‘Not too sure about our conditions’ - CSK head coach Stephen Fleming opens up on talks of 'home advantage' ahead of Qualifier 1

After Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defeated the David Warner-led Delhi Capitals in the 67th game of the tournament at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the four-time champions made their way into the knockout stages. After they thumped Delhi by 77 runs, they became the second side in the IPL 2023 to qualify for the playoffs after Gujarat Titans.

With Qualifier 1 of the competition scheduled to be played on Tuesday, May 23, the clash will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, and CSK's head coach Stephen Fleming reflected on whether or not Chennai would have a home advantage in the clash.

"We are still not too sure about our conditions in Chennai; other years we were pretty sure, but it's changed a little bit this year," Fleming said in the post-match press conference after the game against Delhi.

After their win against Delhi, Chennai Super Kings will next take on Gujarat Titans in the first playoff game in Chepauk. With the match being held in Chennai, the four-time champions will be expected to have massive crowd support. As has been the case throughout the season, the fans of the Yellow Army have always come in numbers to show their support for the MS Dhoni-led side.

It’s just about getting work done a year before, not just giving it up: Fleming

Furthermore, Fleming also reflected on Chennai’s ability to always bounce back after a dismal season. The head coach opined that a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to make comebacks work. Chennai finished in ninth place on the IPL standings in 2022, and the MS Dhoni-led side has done wonders in the ongoing tournament, becoming the second side to qualify for the playoffs.

"Each year is different. In the COVID year, we felt we had a couple of things wrong, but we finished really well. Last year, we felt we would be struggling, it just about getting work done a year before, not just giving it up. Trying to give guys opportunities finding pieces of the puzzle, to help us bounce back," Fleming said.