Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have lost all three games they have played so far at their home ground – M Chinnaswamy Stadium in the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. While some players and coaches have complained that they are not getting the kind of surfaces they want, has attributed the abysmal home results to “coincidence”.
Padikkal said that the players have gelled well and have shown the ability to bounce back after suffering defeats. They comprehensively defeated Punjab Kings by seven wickets in Mullanpur on Sunday, April 20. After scoring his first half-century of the season, the southpaw said that the Bengaluru-based franchise will have to figure out a way to win games at home.
“To be honest, I think it’s just coincidence that our [five] wins have come away from home. But we have played some really good cricket throughout the tournament. I feel we have really gelled well as a unit and that shows, you know. Each time we suffer a loss, we’re immediately back up and we’re winning games. It’s important that we continue this momentum and find a way to win at home as well. The Chinnaswamy deserves some wins as well,” Padikkal said in the post-match press conference.
It’s important as a batting unit to read the pitch quick enough: Devdutt Padikkal
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru is traditionally known for being a high-scoring venue. However, things have not been the same this season. RCB have batted first each time they have played there, and scored 169 for 8, 163 for 7 and, in a 14-overs-a-side game, 95 for 9.
Padikkal said that it is important to read the pitch as soon as possible. The top-order batter admitted that RCB have not been able to do so in IPL 2025. He promised that the players would look to put up a better show for the home fans when they return to the Chinnaswamy on Thursday, April 24, for their next match against the Rajasthan Royals.
“I don’t think that’s anything to do with the pitch, to be honest. It’s important as a batting unit to read the pitch quick enough – I feel that’s something we have not done as well as possible. We’ve not been up to the mark. But that’s part of the tournament that the IPL is. It always has challenges. This is a challenge for us as a team – it’s important that we find a way. Definitely we have some experienced and talented cricketers in the side and we’ll put our heads together and come up with a plan for the next home game,” Padikkal said.
Coming to the match, Punjab posted 157/6 in their 20 overs after being invited to bat first. In reply, RCB chased the target with seven balls to spare, with Virat Kohli (73*) and Padikkal (61) smashing important half-centuries.
