‘If he bowls three overs, RCB are gone’: Ex-India captain’s explosive IPL Final warning

As Royal Challengers Bengaluru put together for his or her IPL 2026 closing showdown towards Gujarat Titans, former India captain Kris Srikkanth has made a daring choice name. The ex-opener believes RCB ought to go away Romario Shepherd out of their enjoying XI, arguing that the West Indies all-rounder may turn into a significant legal responsibility within the title conflict.

Talking on his YouTube channel forward of the ultimate, Srikkanth expressed considerations over Shepherd’s performances with the ball this season. Whereas the all-rounder has picked up seven wickets throughout the marketing campaign, he has leaked runs at an economic system fee exceeding 12 runs per over.

Srikkanth went so far as claiming that Shepherd’s bowling might be the one issue able to derailing RCB’s bid for back-to-back IPL titles.

“There isn’t any information about Phil Salt but in order that they should not change now even when he is match, as Venkatesh Iyer is doing properly. 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,” he mentioned on YouTube.

The previous India skipper additionally suggested RCB to stay with Venkatesh Iyer no matter Phil Salt’s availability. Iyer has impressed since coming into the aspect and Srikkanth feels the defending champions ought to keep away from tinkering with a profitable mixture earlier than the most important match of the season.

Wanting on the Gujarat Titans’ perspective, Srikkanth recognized RCB’s prime order as the most important impediment standing between GT and the trophy. Specifically, he highlighted the partnership between Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal, which has repeatedly laid sturdy foundations for Bengaluru all through the marketing campaign.

Based on Srikkanth, Gujarat’s probabilities may hinge on breaking that partnership as early as attainable.

“If in any respect GT has to win, they’re going to have to interrupt the Virat Kohli-Devdutt Padikkal partnership. RCB at all times wins if Virat Kohli simply makes 40. But it surely’s his partnership with Padikkal that is key for them. RCB solely wrestle if one in every of these two will get out early and there’s no substantial partnership between the 2,” mentioned Srikkanth.

He additional pressured that Gujarat should strike early towards not solely Kohli and Padikkal but in addition captain Rajat Patidar. In his view, permitting any two of the three batters to settle may successfully hand the benefit to Bengaluru.

“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 should dismiss atleast two of those three early to have any likelihood of profitable. Rabada and Siraj should bowl properly in tandem for GT to win,” added Srikkanth.

With each groups chasing a second IPL title, Srikkanth’s feedback have added one other layer of intrigue forward of the ultimate, significantly round RCB’s group choice and Gujarat’s plans towards one of many event’s most formidable batting items.

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