Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s batting coach Dinesh Karthik expressed his disappointment over the playing surface at their home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, revealing that the team had specifically requested batting-friendly tracks but were instead met with pitches that proved challenging for stroke-making. Karthik stated that the franchise would soon have a discussion with the ground curator to address the issue.
In a format where big scores and boundary-hitting dominate the spectacle, RCB’s formidable batting unit found itself unusually shackled. In their two home fixtures against Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals, they could only manage 169/8 and 163/7 respectively—totals well below the Chinnaswamy’s reputation for high-scoring thrillers.
“In the first two games, we asked for good batting tracks, but things haven’t gone our way. The pitches have been on the slower side, making it tough for batters to find rhythm. We’ll definitely speak to the curator about this,” Dinesh Karthik said during the post-match press conference.
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Karthik emphasized that boundaries are the essence of T20 cricket—not just for teams, but for fans and broadcasters alike. “T20 thrives on entertainment. The more boundaries, the better the viewing experience. We’re trying to maximize what we can under the conditions given to us.”
The batting woes were evident in RCB’s lineup—Devdutt Padikkal struggled to a painful 8-ball 1, Liam Livingstone scratched around for 4 off 6, and Jitesh Sharma managed just 3 off 11 balls. Even the experienced Krunal Pandya couldn’t break free, crawling to 18 off 18 deliveries. Adding to the challenge was the inability to rotate strike, especially against spin. Kuldeep Yadav’s 17th over, which yielded just four runs, typified the struggle.
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“We aren’t rigid with templates,” Dinesh Karthik clarified. “We adapt to conditions. But it’s difficult when the pitch doesn’t even allow for singles, let alone boundaries. We’ll assess each pitch and play accordingly.”
While RCB still boasts the firepower, Karthik’s comments highlight the growing concern over pitches not offering the kind of home advantage teams count on in a tightly contested IPL season.
