As Royal Challengers Bengaluru gear up for the IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans, former India captain Kris Srikkanth has delivered a striking verdict on the team’s likely combination. The batting great believes RCB should keep Romario Shepherd out of the playing XI, warning that the West Indies all-rounder could prove a decisive weakness in a match of this magnitude.
Srikkanth’s selection call: Shepherd should not play
Speaking on his YouTube channel ahead of the championship clash, Srikkanth said he remains unconvinced by Shepherd’s spell-making with the ball during the season. While he acknowledged that Shepherd has managed seven wickets in the tournament so far, Srikkanth pointed to the runs he has conceded, noting an economy rate that has crossed 12 runs per over.
- Srikkanth cited Shepherd’s seven wickets as a stat, but stressed the bowler has leaked runs at an economy above 12.
- He argued that in a final, even one underwhelming over can swing momentum, making Shepherd an unnecessary risk.
- He went further and suggested RCB’s margin for error is extremely small if Shepherd bowls his quota in the match.
The former opener also addressed the broader selection debate around wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt. In Srikkanth’s view, if there is “no news” about Salt’s fitness, RCB should not alter their XI. He linked that stance to Venkatesh Iyer’s current form, saying the team should trust the all-round option who has been doing well.
In his blunt assessment, Srikkanth framed the final outcome around Shepherd’s involvement: if Shepherd bowls three overs, he predicted RCB’s chances would effectively be over, adding that Shepherd “shouldn’t bowl” and “should not be in the 11 at all.”
Backing Venkatesh Iyer and the “winning combination” idea
Srikkanth’s advice went beyond excluding one player. He urged RCB to stick with Venkatesh Iyer regardless of whether Phil Salt is available. The logic, as he explained it, is that Iyer has impressed after being brought into the side, and the defending champions should avoid tinkering with a unit that is already working—especially ahead of the biggest game of the season.
What Gujarat must do: target the Kohli–Padikkal foundation
Turning to Gujarat Titans’ perspective, Srikkanth identified RCB’s top order as the key barrier between GT and the trophy. His focus was particularly on the recurring partnership of Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal, which he said has repeatedly provided strong starts for Bengaluru across the campaign.
According to Srikkanth, GT’s route to victory could depend on breaking that pairing early, rather than allowing it to build into a match-controlling platform.
- Srikkanth said if GT have to win, they must disrupt the Virat Kohli–Devdutt Padikkal partnership.
- He suggested RCB tend to win when Kohli gets going and reaches around the 40-run mark.
- He stressed the partnership itself is the critical threat, and RCB struggle if one of the two departs early with no meaningful follow-up stand.
Also watch Rajat Patidar: three wickets, best odds
Srikkanth further expanded the plan for Gujarat by stressing the importance of early strikes not only against Kohli and Padikkal, but also against RCB captain Rajat Patidar. He argued that if any two of these three batters manage to settle, Bengaluru’s advantage would grow substantially.
In his closing tactical view, Srikkanth said Gujarat’s “only hope” is removing all three early; and if that is not possible, then at least dismissing two of them quickly to keep the chase within reach. He also underlined the bowling task for GT’s pacers, saying Rabada and Siraj need to operate effectively together for Gujarat to win.
- Srikkanth’s view: GT’s best chance comes from getting Kohli, Padikkal, and Patidar out early.
- If any two of the three click for early dismissal, he believes RCB still come out winners.
- He added that GT must dismiss at least two early to have any realistic chance.
- He said Rabada and Siraj must bowl well in tandem for Gujarat to pull off the upset.
Why the comments matter for the final build-up
With both clubs chasing a second IPL title, Srikkanth’s remarks have injected extra intrigue into the last-match build-up—particularly around RCB’s XI decision and Gujarat’s strategy against one of the competition’s most potent batting groups. The final now carries added focus on whether Bengaluru can execute its bowling selection safely, and whether GT can dismantle the top-order structure that has powered RCB’s run through the tournament.
