Dinesh Karthik, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s batting coach, has voiced serious concerns about the pitch conditions at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. After suffering two back-to-back defeats at home in the IPL 2025, Karthik stated that the team had asked for batting-friendly pitches, but the ones prepared were difficult to play on.
He mentioned that in both matches – against Gujarat Titans and Delhi Capitals – the team struggled to post competitive scores, managing only 169/8 and 163/7.
These pitches, according to Karthik, lacked pace and even bounce, making it hard for RCB’s top batters to perform. He explained that although the team tried their best with the conditions provided, they had hoped for better surfaces that would support their style of play.
Karthik also revealed that the franchise plans to speak to the pitch curator, trusting him to make improvements. However, he acknowledged that the current playing surfaces have not favored the batters in any of the home games so far.
Wider Pitch Issues Across IPL 2025
The concerns raised by Dinesh Karthik are not isolated. Throughout the season, several teams have expressed similar worries regarding pitch preparations at their home grounds. At Eden Gardens, Kolkata Knight Riders‘ head coach Chandrakant Pandit was among the first to highlight that the pitches were not in line with the team’s strengths.
A Bengali newspaper, Sangabad Pratidin, even reported that some KKR officials were upset with the local cricket association and jokingly said the curator deserved the Player of the Match award after their narrow loss to Lucknow Super Giants. These comments underline the growing frustration among teams when home pitch conditions do not suit their strategies.
Other Teams Also Speak Out
Apart from RCB and KKR, other franchises have also raised their voices. Stephen Fleming, the head coach of Chennai Super Kings, pointed out issues with the pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Similarly, Zaheer Khan, the bowling coach of Lucknow Super Giants, criticized the pitch in Lucknow after a match against Punjab Kings, saying it helped the visitors more than the home team. These remarks reflect a common sentiment across the IPL 2025 – that poorly prepared pitches are affecting teams’ performances, prompting many to seek changes for the rest of the season.
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