<p>Bengaluru: 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.</p>.<p>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. </p>.<p>“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.</p>.IPL 2025 | RCB vs RR: 5 batters to watch out for. <p>“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.”</p>.<p>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. So we took the decision based on medical advice to not risk him to travel. We kept the physio back so that we can treat him and try and get him back as quickly as we possibly can.”</p>.<p>In the absence of Samson, Riyan Parag has captained the side and Dravid gave the Assamese a thumps-up. “When Sanju wasn’t able to field because of the finger injury, Riyan had to actually do the captaincy on the field and I think, you know, he’s sort of done it in four games and some of those games haven’t been easy, especially the high-scoring ones, like the games against Sunrisers Hyderabad.</p>.<p>“But I think he’s done a good job. I think he’s been really good, calm.”</p>
<p>Bengaluru: 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.</p>.<p>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. </p>.<p>“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.</p>.IPL 2025 | RCB vs RR: 5 batters to watch out for. <p>“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.”</p>.<p>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. So we took the decision based on medical advice to not risk him to travel. We kept the physio back so that we can treat him and try and get him back as quickly as we possibly can.”</p>.<p>In the absence of Samson, Riyan Parag has captained the side and Dravid gave the Assamese a thumps-up. “When Sanju wasn’t able to field because of the finger injury, Riyan had to actually do the captaincy on the field and I think, you know, he’s sort of done it in four games and some of those games haven’t been easy, especially the high-scoring ones, like the games against Sunrisers Hyderabad.</p>.<p>“But I think he’s done a good job. I think he’s been really good, calm.”</p>