Aaron Finch, Ambati Rayudu Slam CSK’s Poor Death Bowling as Tim David Carnage Seals Win

Aaron Finch and Ambati Rayudu criticise CSK’s planning and execution as RCB dominate with a clinical performance in IPL 2026.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have begun IPL 2026 in emphatic fashion, winning both their matches convincingly and, in the words of Ambati Rayudu, “are setting great standards for themselves,”. On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings are facing a worrying start, having lost all three of their matches so far—two by big margins and one slightly closer.

Former Australian captain Aaron Finch expressed concern over CSK’s performance, stating, “that’s worrying signs”. During their clash in Bengaluru, CSK remained competitive for a major part of the first innings before a late onslaught from Tim David shifted momentum entirely in RCB’s favour.

Finch Questions Planning and Execution Failures

Analysing CSK’s struggles in the death overs, Finch highlighted issues with both strategy and execution. He explained, “For me, as a captain, you can always understand poor execution. If the plan is right and the bowler has bought into it, and they mis-execute, that’s okay. because you know that that’s something they have practiced over and over and that’s going to happen,” Finch said on ESPNcricinfo’s TimeOut show.

He further added, “[But] was the planning right? I don’t think it was. Was the execution right? No, it absolutely wasn’t. So when you’re missing both of them, that’s worrying signs.”

Finch also criticised the lack of adaptability during crucial moments, saying, “[Overton bowled] everything was around the wicket. Around the wicket, six, six, six. At no point was there anyone go up to the bowler and say, ‘okay, maybe this plan is not working, let’s think of something else ‘,”. Reflecting on leadership challenges, he noted, “What it is, is your head starts spinning in a situation like that.”

“I’ve been in that situation as a captain where you’re thinking: what’s happening? And before you know it, that over’s gone and you’ve forgot to rejig your plans.”

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Rayudu Points to CSK’s Tactical Rigidity and Lack of Awareness

Rayudu echoed similar concerns but went a step further, blaming CSK’s unwillingness to adapt.

“More than a bad plan, they just stuck to that bad plan,” he said. He emphasised the need for in-game intervention, adding, “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.”

He also highlighted technical shortcomings in death bowling.

“Their follow-up balls after a boundary or a six aren’t great,”. Rayudu added, “Generally, as a bowler, you need to be aware that, okay, I have been hit for a six, but it’s the next ball that matters.”

Comparing the two sides, Rayudu praised RCB’s proactive approach.

“letting anything just pass by; they just want to control every scenario, every over,”. Finch agreed, concluding, “Yeah, they’re a team that’s making the right decision at the right time,” and “They are a team that’s been really flexible, and not just being rigid with their preparation and their planning and sticking only to that. They’re going beautifully.”