Delhi: Former Indian batsman Ambati Rayudu has criticized the death over bowling strategy of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) after their third consecutive defeat in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Chennai faced Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on Sunday. Where he had to face defeat by 43 runs. After this, Rayudu told that Mahendra Singh Dhoni never approved the bowling strategy with which CSK bowlers were bowling in the match.

Rayudu criticized CSK’s strategy

Against RCB, Chennai bowlers were trying to bowl wide yorkers from round the wicket. But he was not successful in stopping the run. Tim David and Rajat Patidar thrashed CSK bowlers. After which Rayudu was seen criticizing this bowling strategy of Chennai. Rayudu said that the team had tried such different angles in practice before, but Dhoni never approved them in the match. He also said that the batsmen play these balls easily. He advised CSK to adopt a simple strategy – bowl good yorkers, bowl slow in the right places and keep things simple.

Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Rayudu said, “He has tried this method in practice sessions over the years, but it never worked in matches because Dhoni did not like using such angles in the death overs. Even for batsmen, it is easy to play these balls – if you stand half a foot outside the crease, the effect of that angle is completely lost.”

CSK bowlers were badly beaten in the death.

CSK bowler was badly beaten in the death overs. Chennai bowlers gave away 78 runs in the last four overs. RCB captain Patidar played a stormy inning of 48 runs in 19 balls and Tim David played a stormy inning of 70 runs in just 25 balls. Because of which RCB set a huge target of 251 runs for CSK. In reply, CSK was all out for 207 runs and lost the match by 43 runs.