New Delhi: Chennai Super Kings (CSK)’s death bowling strategy backfired spectacularly in their 43-run defeat against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday. RCB posted a mammoth total of 250 runs on the board as Tim David and Rajat Patidar made a mockery of the CSK bowling attack in the death overs.
David and Patidar went on an incredible onslaught as RCB managed a whopping 97 runs in the last five overs to post their highest-ever total against CSK in IPL history. While David stole the show with his unbeaten 70 off just 25 balls, which was laced with an impressive eight sixes, Patidar hammered six sixes en route to his 48 not out of just 19 balls.
Barring Anshul Kamboj, who managed to execute well, all other CSK bowlers were taken to the cleaners in the death overs. There was a noticeable pattern in CSK’s death bowling strategy as all pacers tried to bowl outside off deliveries from round the wicket. All-rounder Jamie Overton, who rarely bowls in death and even rarely from round the wicket, was taken for 30 runs by David in the 19th over.
The RCB batter kept getting under the ball and smacked Overton all around the park, including a massive 106m six that went out of the stadium. During a discussion on ESPNCricinfo, it was pointed out how similar death bowling strategy has been used by head coach Stephen Fleming in CSK’s other franchises, like the Johannesburg Super Kings in SA20 and the Texas Super Kings in MLC.
MS Dhoni never approved of it: Ambati Rayudu
Despite the strategy being flawed as it has become increasingly easy to counter in modern-day cricket, CSK used it extensively against RCB and had to pay the price for it. Former CSK batter Ambati Rayudu, who was part of the panel on ESPNCricinfo, revealed similar angles were practised in the nets by the team’s bowlers during MS Dhoni’s reign.
However, Dhoni never approved of the same during matches as he felt it was easy for a batter to counter the angle. Rayudu advised CSK to back a bowler’s natural strengths in the death and rely on basics by nailing yorkers and slower deliveries.
“They’ve tried that in practice sessions over the years, but it never translated into games because MS didn’t approve of using that kind of angle in the death. Even as batters, we found it easy to counter those deliveries – if you stand just half a foot outside the crease, the angle is completely nullified,” Rayudu said on ESPNcricinfo.
“I think that’s an area they need to review. Sometimes, it’s better to stick to conventional strategies: good yorkers, well-pitched slower balls, keep it simple and basic,” he added.
CSK’s death bowling woes continue in IPL 2026
CSK’s death bowling woes continued against RCB at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday, with their bowlers appearing clueless in the death amid an onslaught from the hosts. Death bowling was always expected to be a problem for CSK after they lost their only reliable death specialist, Nathan Ellis, to an injury ahead of the start of the season.
CSK decided to rope in Spencer Johnson as a replacement for Ellis, but the Australian pacer is yet to join the squad as he is himself undergoing rehab after recently recovering from an injury. The likes of Matt Henry, Khaleel Ahmed and Jamie Overton have failed to step up and fill the gap, leaving CSK in a huge spot of bother.
Their 43-run defeat against RCB means CSK have now lost their first three matches in a row in the ongoing IPL 2026, intensifying pressure on captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and head coach Stephen Fleming, who have been facing criticism from all corners for the team’s poor show.
CSK have a five-day gap before their next game against Delhi Capitals to recaliberate and rejuvenate as they look to get their campaign back on track this season.
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