Former SunRisers Hyderabad coach Tom Moody has hit out at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) after their loss to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2024 opener on Friday. Moody criticized the RCB bowlers for bowling too many short balls, saying the Faf du Plessis-led side’s plans had become “predictable”. Players like Alzarri Joseph and Cameron Green have been targeted with short passes throughout the season. Despite a poor start, Dube put up an unbeaten 34 to take CSK across the finish line.

RCB’s short-ball tactics have become “predictable”, Moody said, adding that they can’t keep using it.

“The art of playing the short ball well is unpredictable. I think they have been predictable with this plan (compared to CSK). Yes, Dube has a potential gray area with the short ball but you already have to play with It comes as a surprise. You can’t use it with almost every ball. It’s almost like every ball he faces against the pace bowlers is short. When he first comes to the crease, what do they do? They did the right thing” by bringing Joseph, their fastest bowler, into the attack. But again, he always became a predictable bowler of short balls.Because, he’s going to break some boundaries with that short ball,” Moody said ESPNcricinfo.

Back in the match, CSK easily chased down 174 on a good batting trajectory. CSK pacer Mustafizur Rahman turned things around with his best IPL figures of 4-29.

Anuj Rawat (48) and Dinesh Karthik (38*) RCB scored 173/6 after winning the toss and electing to bat. In reply, Rachin Ravindra’s brisk start, Daryl Mitchell’s six-match run, Ajinkya Rahane’s composure and Du The partnership of Rachin Ravindra and Dube-Ravindra Jadeja guided CSK to a comfortable six-wicket win.

CSK has not lost to RCB at home since 2008, thus maintaining an enviable record.