Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have enjoyed an unbeaten record in away matches so far this season, but their struggles at home remain a significant point of concern. Despite looking like a well-balanced side in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign, with four wins from six matches, RCB have yet to secure a victory at their home ground, M Chinnaswamy Stadium. This ongoing issue has overshadowed their otherwise strong performances, especially as they aim to secure their maiden IPL title.

RCB’s home struggles have been evident in their losses to Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans, both at Chinnaswamy. In contrast to other franchises that focus on making their home ground a fortress, RCB continue to face difficulties playing in Bengaluru. One major factor in this has been the importance of the toss at Chinnaswamy, where teams typically choose to bowl first due to the stadium’s small boundaries, making any target difficult to defend. This season, RCB have yet to win a match while batting first at home, losing both matches they’ve played under those circumstances. Following a dominant 9-wicket win over RCB, former Bangalore player Devdutt Padikkal shared his thoughts on the team’s home form in a chat with Phil Salt.

Padikkal, who had been in fine form for his current team, Rajasthan Royals, acknowledged the need for RCB to start winning at home. His statement brought a smile to Salt’s face as he, too, agreed that it’s high time RCB turned their home record around. “Getting four wins now away from home, it really feels great,” Padikkal said, referring to RCB’s successful run on the road. “Hopefully, we can continue this at home as well. To be honest, it is about time we start doing something there as well,” he added with a laugh. Salt, who had been one of the standout performers in RCB’s chase, also chimed in with his perspective on the issue. “It is a matter of time. I don’t think that we have done badly there. We train there more than anyone else, we play there more than anyone else—it’s a matter of time that we get it right and give fans something to cheer about,” Salt quipped, hinting at the team’s desire to turn things around at their home ground. Phil Salt’s performance in the game against Rajasthan Royals was one of the highlights of RCB’s victory. The Englishman set up the chase of 174 with a blistering 33-ball 65, laying the perfect foundation for the team to reach the target.

His 28-ball fifty was an aggressive display of power hitting, and his partnership with Virat Kohli, with whom he added 92 runs for the first wicket, was instrumental in putting RCB in a strong position. Salt’s blistering knock was eventually halted when he was dismissed by spinner Kumar Kartikeya, caught by Yashasvi Jaiswal at midwicket. Despite Salt’s departure, RCB’s chase continued smoothly, thanks to the efforts of the ever-reliable Virat Kohli, who anchored the innings with a composed 62 off 44 balls. Kohli’s experience and calmness in the chase were crucial as he shared an unbeaten stand of 83 runs with left-hander Devdutt Padikkal, who made a valuable 40* off 26 balls. The pair steered RCB to a comfortable victory with 15 balls to spare, completing the chase in 18.3 overs. The win was a much-needed morale booster for RCB, who had been struggling to find consistency at home.

However, Salt’s comments about the team’s efforts at Chinnaswamy reflected a sense of optimism and belief that a breakthrough at home was just around the corner. The team’s training sessions and commitment to improving their performance at home ground were something they were confident would eventually yield positive results. Despite the ongoing struggles, RCB’s overall performance this season has been impressive, and they are still very much in contention for a strong finish. With players like Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and now Salt showing their skill and temperament, RCB remain one of the most dangerous sides in the tournament.

The team’s inability to perform at home may continue to be a talking point, but with the kind of talent they have, it would be foolish to write them off just yet. As the season progresses, RCB will undoubtedly be looking to address their home form, and it might only be a matter of time before they start delivering the kind of results their passionate fanbase expects. In a tournament as unpredictable and intense as the IPL, even the smallest of adjustments can lead to a massive turnaround, and with the combination of experienced players and young talent, RCB will be eager to put their home ground struggles behind them.