Bengaluru,apr 24
The Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch has befuddled the Royal Challengers Bengaluru players this season, especially their power hitters who have struggled to flex their muscles. On Wednesday skipper Rajat Patidar called it “tricky and unpredictable” but felt that should not be an excuse for a poor show.While RCB have been a force to reckon with on the road with five wins from as many games, they’ve not been able to replicate the same at their own den, losing all the three games so far. Team mentor Dinesh Karthik had earlier expressed his unhappiness about the Chinnaswamy pitch not being prepared to their strengths but Patidar felt success could be achieved if players can adapt. “Obviously we have not played good cricket in our home matches. This time wickets are a bit tricky over here and unpredictable too, but that is not an excuse,” said Patidar at the pre-match press conference ahead of their clash against Rajasthan Royals. “One has to be mindful of shot selection because the wicket is two-paced and there is variation in bounce too. It’s obviously helping the bowlers a lot more. But as a player, if you go to any wicket, you have to adapt to the conditions and situations. It’s easy to use wickets as an excuse. I think the more we try to play square of the wicket, it’ll be better.”Rajasthan coach Rahul Dravid, meanwhile, said Sanju Samson, who has been laid low by an abdominal injury, will be evaluated on day to day basis and there isn’t a timeline for his return. “Sanju, as you know, sort of picked up the injury in the game against Delhi (Capitals on April 16) and couldn’t play the last game and in this game as well.
