Once is commonplace, twice can be a coincidence, taking Rajat Patidar’s comments at face value. But to lose three games on the bounce at home is a trend, any which way one looks at it.

At the halfway point of the league phase of IPL 2025, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the only team not to have won a game at their home base, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. True, the venue hasn’t historically been their bastion like the Wankhede Stadium has been for Mumbai Indians or the MA Chidambaram Stadium for Chennai Super Kings, but even if they don’t vocalise it, Patidar’s outfit must be concerned at the lack of results in their backyard, in front of their passionate and loyal-to-a-fault supporters.