Ambati Rayudu, the former Chennai Super Kings batter, has taken aim at CSK\u2019s bowling approach after the franchise suffered a 43-run defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026. Rayudu\u2019s criticism centred on the lack of flexibility under pressure, arguing that the team failed to adjust once the contest started slipping in RCB\u2019s favour. The match turned into a stern test for CSK after Bengaluru posted 250\/3 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, a total that demanded disciplined execution from the first over to the last.<\/p>\n
Rayudu highlighted how the game\u2019s turning point arrived in the closing phase, with Tim David and Rajat Patidar combining for a rapid 99-run partnership off just 35 balls. That late acceleration swung momentum decisively, putting CSK on the back foot and forcing them to chase a target that kept climbing. Even though CSK showed intent with the bat, they were ultimately dismissed for 207, unable to bridge the gap as Bengaluru\u2019s late surge proved too strong.<\/p>\n
When asked to assess CSK\u2019s bowling performance, Rayudu suggested the issue went deeper than a single tactical error. In his view, the bigger problem was that the side did not reassess its plan after RCB started striking consistently. \u201cMore than a bad plan, they just stuck to that bad plan. There was nobody to intervene and to just take some time off, take those 20-30 seconds, just make it slightly more slow and then guide the bowler with a message. I think they should have slowed it down a little bit,\u201d Rayudu said, pointing to the need for timely course correction rather than rigid adherence to the initial execution.<\/p>\n
He also drew attention to the final overs, when Bengaluru produced a decisive 97-run burst in the last five. Rayudu felt that CSK struggled particularly at the death, where the ability to respond quickly after being hit is crucial. \u201cTheir follow-up balls after a boundary or a six aren\u2019t great,\u201d he added, underscoring that in T20 cricket the next delivery often determines whether a bowler regains control or lets the batter continue to dominate. Rayudu compared it with the standards set by top end-overs specialists, noting that even after conceding a big hit, the best death bowlers immediately follow it with a high-quality ball.<\/p>\n
While CSK\u2019s bowling faltered at the most critical moments, Rayudu acknowledged that Bengaluru\u2019s overall work was not uniform across the innings. He pointed out that RCB\u2019s powerplay and middle-overs bowling had been stronger than in their previous match, but insisted that the contrast in execution during the end phase ultimately made the difference. \u201cBut their powerplay bowling and middle-overs bowling was much better than what it was last game,\u201d he said, framing Bengaluru\u2019s improvement as another factor behind their ability to keep pressure building.<\/p>\n
Rayudu also praised Bengaluru\u2019s awareness and control as the contest progressed. In his assessment, RCB did not allow key situations to drift; they consistently looked to dictate the tempo over every over and every scenario, which has been central to their recent run of dominance. He referenced the wider context of their form, including a fourth consecutive win over CSK. \u201cRCB, meanwhile, are not letting anything just pass by; they just want to control every scenario, every over,\u201d Rayudu said.<\/p>\n
With Bengaluru\u2019s late assault proving decisive and CSK unable to adapt when the match demanded it most, the result reflected a sharp difference in game planning and in-the-moment decision-making\u2014one that enabled RCB to take complete control and secure the win.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ambati Rayudu, the former Chennai Super Kings batter, has taken aim at CSK\u2019s bowling approach after the franchise suffered a 43-run defeat to Royal Challengers…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":678,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_title":"Rayudu Criticises CSK Bowling After RCB IPL 2026 Defeat","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Ambati Rayudu questions CSK\u2019s lack of on-field changes after their IPL 2026 loss to RCB, saying the bowling approach didn\u2019t adapt under pressure.","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-679","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ipl"],"yoast_head":"\n