Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth has opined that the fifth and sixth bowling options can be an issue for the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their clash against Gujarat Titans on Friday. While RCB’s main bowlers have done a decent job, Romario Shepherd has been expensive in the ongoing season.

Shepherd has snared three wickets in five innings at an average of 45.33 and a high economy rate of 15.11. Srikkanth reckons the West Indies all-rounder gifts the game to the opposition in two overs he bowls.

Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “GT has often done well against RCB. What if Buttler clicks tomorrow? So RCB has to be very careful. RCB are stuck with their fifth and sixth bowling with Romario Shepherd. Though they have a solid bowling lineup, Shepherd gifts the opponents the match in his two overs. They are very strong, but they can’t take GT for granted. If they lose, a minor hiccup will become a major hiccup.”

Srikkanth backed GT to win the Friday clash against RCB and reckons Sai Sudharsan is going to click for the visitors.

“I’ve got a feeling GT are going to win this match. Sai Sudharsan is going to click, and if he and Gill combine to give them a start, Buttler will finish RCB. If two out of these click, RCB are dead. GT have a good record in Bengaluru.”

Srikkanth believes GT will need to drop Glenn Phillips from their playing XI and they should back Jason Holder. The New Zealand batter has managed only 67 runs in five innings in the ongoing season.

“They have to say thank you and goodbye to Phillips. Jason Holder is definitely a better batter than Phillips and is not a bad fielder, either. Phillips just plays through hype every time. His IPL records are horrible. There is no way he should be a certainty in the 11,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).

GT and RCB will take on each other at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Friday.