Chinnaswamy’s “Batting Paradise” Turning into a Challenge? RCB Mentor Dinesh Karthik Opens Up
In the heart of Bengaluru, where sixes often rain and the Chinnaswamy crowd is known to roar with every boundary, things have taken a bit of a surprising turn this IPL season. The pitch, which is usually a treat for batters, seems to be playing spoilsport. And it's not just the fans who are puzzled — even Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) mentor Dinesh Karthik has admitted things aren’t going as planned.
🏏 "We Asked for Batting-Friendly Pitches… Got Something Else Instead"
RCB had very clearly requested a surface that would support their explosive batting line-up — one that fans associate with high scores and thrilling chases. But according to Karthik, what they’ve received is quite the opposite: a slow, challenging wicket that’s making it tough to score freely.
“In the first two games, we asked for good pitches. But it’s turned out this way, where it's been challenging to bat on. So, we try to do the best with whatever we get,” Karthik said after their recent match. “But yes, we’ll definitely have a word with the curator soon.”
Despite the team's best efforts, RCB couldn’t go past 170 in both home matches — scoring 169/8 against Gujarat Titans and 163/7 versus Delhi Capitals. The result? Two consecutive defeats at home.
⚠️ Home Advantage? Not This Time.
Karthik believes RCB has lost what’s usually a big advantage — playing at home.
“The 22-yard strip isn’t playing to our strengths. Traditionally, Chinnaswamy is known for its flat tracks and high scores. But right now, it’s making life very difficult for our batters.”
The mentor emphasized that T20 cricket thrives on boundaries and big scores, something the current surface is making hard to achieve. “More runs mean more excitement for fans and broadcasters. That’s what everyone wants to see — fours and sixes flying around. And we’ll try our best to deliver that,” he added.
🔄 "No One Template Works — It’s All About Adapting"
While many teams enter matches with a set game plan, Karthik pointed out that RCB is trying to adapt their strategy based on the pitch conditions. However, when the pitch turns sticky and unpredictable, it becomes tough to even rotate the strike — forget about smashing boundaries.
“We don’t follow just one template. With every game, we read the pitch and decide how to play. But honestly, it’s been hard to even take singles at times, and going for big shots has led to a few of our batters getting out,” he admitted.
🌧️ A Little Rain, A Big Impact
In the match against Delhi Capitals, RCB saw yet another twist. Just as they were trying to defend their total, a drizzle mid-way during DC’s innings changed the dynamics of the pitch completely.
“The pitch was a bit sticky. We were right in the game till the 13th over. They were 50 for 4, and we thought we had a real chance,” said Karthik. “But then the rain came, and everything shifted. Suddenly, the shots they were playing didn’t seem possible in the first half.”
The subtle moisture seemed to settle the pitch and made strokeplay easier for the DC batters — something RCB didn’t benefit from when they batted first. In the first game too, dew played a major role, giving Gujarat Titans the edge in the second innings.
🔥 Promising Young Talent: Suyash Sharma Shines
Not everything was gloomy for RCB, though. A big positive came in the form of young leg-spinner Suyash Sharma, who bowled a brilliant spell — 4 overs for just 25 runs and picked up a crucial wicket.
“Suyash has that extra pace in his deliveries. Wrist spinners like him have done well on this kind of pitch,” Karthik said. “I think he’s destined for bigger things. The more revolutions you get on this pitch, the more it helps the bowlers — and Suyash did exactly that.”
It’s heartening to see young Indian talents making their mark in pressure situations, and RCB seems to have found a gem in Suyash.
📢 It’s Not Just RCB — Other Franchises Are Also Unhappy with Home Pitches
RCB isn’t alone in expressing concerns over the nature of their home turf. Lucknow Super Giants’ mentor Zaheer Khan and Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming have voiced similar issues.
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Zaheer, in a light-hearted yet pointed remark, said it almost felt like the pitch curator was from Punjab, after LSG’s defeat to PBKS.
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Fleming mentioned CSK’s struggle in reading their home pitch in Chennai, saying that for the past two seasons, their team hasn’t been able to utilize home advantage due to unpredictable surfaces.
It appears that multiple teams are struggling to get the pitches they expected, which is making a huge difference in a format where even a few extra runs or wickets can change the game.
🚩 The Road Ahead for RCB
RCB's coaching staff and management will now likely have a detailed discussion with the Chinnaswamy curator. The goal? To get the kind of wicket that supports the power-packed batting order they’ve invested in — one that turns home games into strongholds again.
At a ground known for high-scoring thrillers, fans turn up hoping for fireworks. And Karthik is well aware of the responsibility that comes with that expectation.
“Fans want boundaries. Broadcasters want boundaries. And honestly, we want boundaries too!” he laughed, before concluding the press conference.
📝 In Summary – Key Points to Remember:
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RCB’s mentor Dinesh Karthik says the Chinnaswamy pitch hasn’t lived up to the batting-friendly expectation.
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RCB scored below-par totals in both home games and lost both.
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Slight drizzle during DC’s innings affected pitch behavior and helped the visitors chase down the target more easily.
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Suyash Sharma’s bowling has been a major positive.
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Other franchises like LSG and CSK have also complained about their home pitches.
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RCB will speak to the curator in hopes of getting back their home advantage.
As the tournament progresses, fans can only hope that Chinnaswamy returns to its high-scoring self — where every ball has the potential to fly into the stands, and the crowd becomes the 12th man that RCB so desperately needs right now.
Let’s see how things unfold in the coming home games. Will the pitch favor the batters next time? Or will RCB have to keep grinding it out on a tricky surface?
Stay tuned, because the drama is just heating up in Bengaluru!
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