India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin expects Royal Challengers Bengaluru to consider a reshuffle for their upcoming match against Gujarat Titans, after the defending champions suffered a tense loss to Delhi Capitals in their previous outing. Bengaluru’s campaign started with promise, but two defeats across six matches have brought the team’s fine margins into sharper focus, with small tweaks now likely to matter more than before.
Why Ashwin thinks Bengaluru may change
Despite generally functioning as a cohesive unit—often getting contributions from both their batting and bowling—Bengaluru’s bowling structure has drawn attention. Ashwin singled out the team’s sixth bowling option as a particular worry, noting that Romario Shepherd had a difficult moment in the closing over against Delhi, when pressure swung against them.
With that experience fresh, Ashwin suggested Bengaluru’s management could reassess its plan for crunch overs. He indicated that Shepherd might not be part of the XI this time, with Jacob Duffy or a batter like Jacob Bethell viewed as potential alternatives to improve reliability when the match is on the line.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said: “I have a feeling that Romario Shepherd won’t play. I have a feeling that they will go with Jacob Duffy, or a batter like Jacob Bethell. But RCB are looking quite strong— they have the batting, the bowling looks strong.”
Table pressure ahead of the RCB vs GT game
As Bengaluru head into the clash, they sit third in the standings with eight points. However, that position is not comfortable: Sunrisers Hyderabad are level on points, while both Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Titans are close behind with six points. The competition is tight enough that each result can shift the balance quickly, leaving less room for slip-ups.
For the defending champions, another poor performance—particularly against Gujarat Titans—could intensify the pressure considerably. Bengaluru are also preparing for a difficult run of matches away from home, with Raipur serving as their temporary base for the time being, adding an extra layer of challenge when it comes to maintaining consistency in unfamiliar conditions.
Ashwin’s call on the contest
Ashwin also focused on Gujarat’s bowling leader Rashid Khan, stressing that the spinner’s recent performances have not matched his usual level. He highlighted that the previous two matches were slightly below Rashid’s standard and suggested that his showing in this game will be key.
On the likely outcome, Ashwin said: “I want to see how Rashid Khan bowls in this game, because the last two games have been slightly under Rashid’s standard. But in this game, RCB look very strong. So, I will go with RCB to win.”
