Did not simply play beneath common or dangerous, they performed pathetic cricket

Former Rajasthan Royals (RR) all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin slammed the present facet for his or her abysmal displaying within the essential IPL 2026 conflict in opposition to the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Jaipur on Might 9. With the playoff race heating up, each groups had been determined for a win to climb into the highest 4.

Nonetheless, RR failed to show up in entrance of their residence followers, folding to a 77-run defeat. After conceding an enormous 229 in 20 overs, RR had been bowled out for an embarrassing 152 within the seventeenth over.

Speaking about RR’s shockingly poor displaying, Ashwin mentioned on his YouTube channel (0:27):

“GT undoubtedly performed effectively, however this match rests solely on RR. RR did not simply play beneath common or dangerous; they performed pathetic cricket. Jofra Archer bowled such a horrible first over. I’m not positive who he was offended at or whether or not he was offended at himself for bowling such an abysmal over. Solely the free hit ball, he did not bowl like one. The remainder of the over was stuffed with free hit balls.”

He continued:

“They bowled nearly six balls on the seventh stump on the leg facet simply contained in the powerplay. It was unfathomable how a workforce might bowl a lot on the legs. RR had been by no means within the sport to determine which part they misplaced it in. Are GT a workforce able to scoring 230? But, in case you have given them that rating, you need to ask your self in case you have performed effectively.”

The loss took RR out of the highest 4 and into fifth on the factors desk with 12 factors in 11 outings.

“It is as necessary as an elephant or a horse on a chessboard” – R Ashwin on RR’s abroad gamers

Ravichandran Ashwin slammed RR for his or her workforce choice, particularly the selection of abroad gamers, within the conflict in opposition to GT. RR introduced out-of-form batter Shimron Hetmyer again within the combine, whereas batting Dasun Shanaka at No.8.

“They’re enjoying Dasun Shanaka as one in every of their international gamers. When you possibly can have solely 4 international gamers in a workforce, it is as necessary as an elephant or a horse on a chessboard. You might be selecting Shanaka as one in every of them and enjoying him at No.8. Why? Play him at No.11 solely then (sarcasm). No person is aware of why Hetmyer goes out and is available in,” mentioned Ashwin (by way of the aforementioned supply).

He concluded:

“They’re additionally making so many modifications for no motive. They went arduous at Ravi Bishnoi and picked him. He was main the Purple Cap at one stage and is a former No. 1-ranked T20I bowler. Although he did not bowl effectively in a few matches, I’d counsel you somewhat lose enjoying him. When you do such issues, how will the boldness of a workforce not be affected?”

A fifth loss of their final seven matches means RR will doubtless need to win their remaining three matches to qualify for the playoffs.