IPL 2025: RCB’s Chinnaswamy Blues: Home Ground Struggles can Undermine its Campaign
While Bengaluru thrives in away fixtures, the challenges of slow pitches and defensive bowling haunt it at home
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) has faced a perplexing challenge in IPL 2025: Its inability to capitalise on home-ground advantage at the hallowed M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Despite its strong performances in away games, its struggles at home have raised concerns among fans and analysts alike.
RCB has lost both of their home matches this season, including defeats against Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals. In last night's game against DC, RCB posted a modest total of 163/7, which was comfortably chased down by the visitors.
The Chinnaswamy pitch, traditionally known as a batting paradise, has shown signs of inconsistency this season. The surface has been slower than expected, making it difficult for RCB's batters to execute their aggressive approach. RCB's batters have struggled to assess the conditions effectively. In the match against DC, they collapsed from 61/1 in the powerplay to 91/4, failing to build on a strong start. The story was no different in the previous encounter against the Gujarat Titans --- the local team lost by 8 wickets defending a similar score (169, to be precise). Both the matches had a similar arc, in a sense conveying the struggles of RCB.
RCB's bowling attack has always struggled at Chinnaswamy. And this season has been no different so far. It has been unable to defend totals at home, even when the opposition has been restricted to modest scores. This has exposed its lack of depth in the bowling department. Playing at home comes with added pressure to perform, which seems to have affected RCB's decision-making and execution.
Fans have expressed frustration over RCB's poor home record, with some even calling the Chinnaswamy Stadium a 'panauti' (bad omen) for the team.
In contrast, RCB has been impressive in away games, securing victories against Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders. Its win against MI at Wankhede Stadium was particularly notable, as it marked its first victory at the venue since 2015. The victory against CSK was no less significant as it broke a 17-year winless streak.
RCB has shown better adaptability to varying pitch conditions in away games, adjusting its strategies to suit the surface. Players like Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar have delivered consistent performances, anchoring the innings and providing stability.
RCB needs to address its home-ground struggles urgently, as its inability to win at Chinnaswamy could jeopardise its playoff chances. Improving its pitch assessment and bowling strategies will be crucial to turning its fortunes around at home.
