Kris Srikkanth Warns RCB Against Playing Romario Shepherd In IPL 2026 Final vs Gujarat Titans

Kris Srikkanth has urged RCB to leave Romario Shepherd out of the IPL 2026 final, claiming the all-rounder could become the team’s biggest weakness against Gujarat Titans.

Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has offered a blunt assessment of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s playing XI ahead of the IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. While RCB enter the summit clash as favourites after a dominant campaign, Srikkanth believes one selection decision could determine whether they successfully defend their title.

The ex-India opener singled out West Indies all-rounder Romario Shepherd as a potential concern, citing his struggles with the ball throughout the season. Shepherd has managed only seven wickets in 14 matches while conceding runs at nearly 12 runs per over, making him one of RCB’s least effective bowlers during IPL 2026.

Srikkanth also advised the franchise not to make unnecessary changes at the top of the order, even if England batter Phil Salt is declared fit for the final.

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“There is no news about Phil Salt yet so they shouldn’t change now even if he’s fit, as Venkatesh Iyer is doing well. The only way RCB can lose is if Romario Shepherd bowls three overs. If he bowls three overs, RCB are gone. Shepherd shouldn’t bowl and should not be in the 11 at all.”

Venkatesh Iyer Backed To Continue Opening Role

Phil Salt has missed a significant portion of the IPL 2026 season due to injury after featuring in RCB’s opening six matches. In his absence, Venkatesh Iyer has stepped up impressively and delivered consistent performances at the top of the order.

The left-hander has averaged 59 while scoring at a strike rate exceeding 184 across his five innings this season. His recent displays have convinced Srikkanth that Bengaluru should stick with a winning combination instead of bringing Salt back immediately for the final.

RCB’s batting unit has been one of the most destructive in the tournament, regularly posting massive totals and overwhelming opposition bowling attacks. Maintaining stability in the batting order could therefore be a crucial factor in the title clash.

Virat Kohli-Devdutt Padikkal Partnership Key To RCB’s Success

Srikkanth believes Gujarat Titans’ biggest challenge will be breaking the influential partnership between Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal. According to him, RCB’s batting often revolves around the platform created by the two left-right combinations at the top.

“If at all GT has to win, they’ll have to break the Virat Kohli-Devdutt Padikkal partnership. RCB always wins if Virat Kohli just makes 40. But it’s his partnership with Padikkal that’s key for them. RCB only struggle if one of these two gets out early and there is no substantial partnership between the two,” said Srikkanth.

Kohli has once again been among RCB’s standout performers, accumulating 600 runs this season. Padikkal has also enjoyed a remarkable campaign, scoring 463 runs at a strike rate above 170 and providing crucial support to the former India captain.

Gujarat Titans Must Remove RCB’s Big Three Early

The former India skipper further identified Rajat Patidar as another wicket Gujarat Titans must target if they hope to stop Bengaluru’s batting machine.

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Patidar has led RCB’s scoring charts this season with 486 runs at an average above 44 and an exceptional strike rate of 196.76. Together with Kohli and Padikkal, he forms the backbone of Bengaluru’s batting lineup.

“GT’s only hope of winning is getting all three of Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, and Rajat Patidar out early. If any two out of these three click, RCB are winners. So GT have to dismiss atleast two of these three early to have any chance of winning. Rabada and Siraj have to bowl well in tandem for GT to win,” added Srikkanth.

With both teams preparing for the biggest match of the season, Srikkanth’s comments have added another layer of intrigue to what promises to be a blockbuster IPL 2026 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans.