“If he bowls 3 overs, RCB are gone”

Former Crew India captain Kris Srikkanth has suggested the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to not bowl and even play all-rounder Romario Shepherd within the IPL 2026 remaining in opposition to the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad on Might 31. The West Indian has been considered one of RCB’s lone weak hyperlinks with the ball throughout their remaining run this season.

Shepherd has picked up seven wickets in 14 matches at a woeful common of 42.57 and a fair worse economic system charge of just about 12. Srikkanth additionally urged RCB to proceed opening with Venkatesh Iyer within the grand finale even when England star Phil Salt is accessible for choice.

Speaking about RCB’s lineup for the IPL 2026 remaining, Srikkanth mentioned on his YouTube channel Cheeky Cheeka (2:26):

“There is no such thing as a information about Phil Salt but so that they should not change now even when he is match, as Venkatesh Iyer is doing nicely. The one manner RCB can lose is that if Romario Shepherd bowls three overs. If he bowls three overs, RCB are gone. Shepherd should not bowl and shouldn’t be within the 11 in any respect.”

Salt has missed greater than half of the IPL 2026 season resulting from damage, after enjoying in RCB’s opening six matches. In the meantime, Iyer has impressed in his 5 innings this season, together with the final two opening the batting, averaging 59 at a strike charge of over 184.

“RCB solely battle if considered one of these two will get out early” – Kris Srikkanth on GT’s ways for IPL 2026 remaining

Kris Srikkanth believes GT should break the second-wicket partnership between Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal with the intention to preserve their hopes of profitable the IPL 2026 remaining alive. Kohli has led RCB’s batting this season with 600 runs, whereas Padikkal is third with 463 runs at a strike charge of over 170.

“If in any respect GT has to win, they will have to interrupt the Virat Kohli-Devdutt Padikkal partnership. RCB all the time wins if Virat Kohli simply makes 40. However it’s his partnership with Padikkal that is key for them. RCB solely battle if considered one of these two will get out early and there’s no substantial partnership between the 2,” mentioned Srikkanth (through the aforementioned supply).

The previous captain additionally included RCB skipper Rajat Patidar, stating GT should take away no less than two of Kohli, Padikkal, and Patidar early to remain within the sport.

“GT’s solely hope of profitable is getting all three of Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, and Rajat Patidar out early. If any two out of those three click on, RCB are winners. So GT must dismiss atleast two of those three early to have any likelihood of profitable. Rabada and Siraj must bowl nicely in tandem for GT to win,” added Srikkanth.

Patidar is RCB’s main run-scorer this season with 486 runs at a median of over 44 and a strike charge of 196.76 in 14 video games.