"Tactic Disappointing": Gavaskar Blasts 'One-Dimensional' RCB After Loss

The start to IPL 2024 was a forgettable one for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The star-studded side slumped to a six-wicket loss to Chennai Super Kings at the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side’s home ground. Batting first, RCB encountered a top-order collapse before Dinesh Karthik and Anuj Rawat stitched a 90-plus stand to take RCB over 170. But CSK chased down the target with more than an over to go.  Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar explained what Royal Challengers Bengaluru could have done differently against Chennai Super Kings in the opening match of the TATA IPL 2024.

“Yes, try the short ball by all means, but when it wasn’t working… it looked like that’s all they were looking to do. You had somebody like a Dagar, who had bowled 2 overs for 6 six runs. I know the way the left-hand spinner can be picked for 6, but you got to take a chance. All that they did, Joseph, Green, Siraj, everybody go in short. What was happening was that if you don’t get the bouncer right, you are going to give it a wide, which means you’re giving an extra run, you are going to bowl an extra delivery. So, your bouncer has to be very accurate, and it wasn’t. That one-dimensional tactic was really disappointing,” he said on Star Sports.

Former England batsman Kevin Pietersen said RCB could have chosen to bowl after winning the toss. “I would have chased if I was Faf du Plessis. That wicket was an absolute belter. It’s not the normal wicket that you see. Statistics can tell you one thing, and I’ve never been one for statistics. You got to judge situations as you see situations. This was not a wicket for spinners, the seam bowlers had a go here. I think RCB should have chased,” he said.

Australia legend Steve Smith shared his thoughts after Chennai Super Kings maintained their strong record at the Chepauk following their six-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru. “Bangalore don’t match up at that ground. CSK played to their strengths. They squeezed throughout the middle. Mustafizur was really good, taking wickets. It was a pretty unusual scorecard, the chase. 37 was the highest score, everyone got a start and spent a bit of time in the middle. I think it’s probably an ideal start for Chennai,” he said.