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RCB turn to height and back of a length to ace the Chinnaswamy conundrum

The Chinnaswamy Stadium, once a batting paradise, has undergone a transformation in recent years. The wicket has become more challenging, with seamers reaping the benefits of the two-paced nature and tennis ball bounce. In this article, we'll explore how RCB has adapted to this change and what it means for their chances of success.

The Chinnaswamy Wicket

The wicket at Chinnaswamy has been tacky at the start of games, with teams batting first winning five and losing six in the 11 games since 2024. In each of the five wins, teams batting first posted 180+, while in the five losses, they scored under 180. The difficulty in batting first can be attributed to the same length phenomenon mentioned above: balls pitched back of length average 14.42 in the first innings, nearly doubling to 27.20 in the second half.

Seamers by Length at Chinnaswamy since 2024

Josh Hazlewood's Lengths in IPL 2025

RCB's Acquisition of Josh Hazlewood

RCB dished out INR 12.50 crore to ward off competition from MI, KKR, and LSG to obtain Josh Hazlewood in the 2025 auction. Hazlewood has primarily bowled at a good length and a back of length, with nearly 67% of his deliveries in IPL 2025 pitched in the 6-10 m zone. He averages 12.57 at an economy rate of 7.04 and 14 of his 18 wickets have come from this area.

Conclusion

RCB has unlocked the bowling part of the complex Chinnaswamy code by adapting to the two-paced nature and tennis ball bounce. Josh Hazlewood's accuracy and ability to bowl at a good length and back of length have been crucial in their success. With four games to play, including three at home, RCB is well-placed to seal a top four finish.