Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth has questioned Royal Challengers Bengaluru for continuously backing Romario Shepherd despite the all-rounder’s struggle with the ball. RCB were able to skittle out DC at 75 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on Monday after Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar bagged four and three wickets respectively.
DC were left reeling at 13-6 after the Powerplay overs but despite his team’s commanding position, Shepherd conceded 21 runs in two overs he bowled. The West Indies all-rounder has scalped three wickets in eight matches at an average of 58 and an economy rate of 14.50 in the ongoing IPL season.
Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “They have an amazing overall bowling side. They have just one weak link in Romario Shepherd. I’ve no idea why RCB are actually playing him. But I feel he’s playing because he’s a lucky charm for RCB. They won last year and are winning this year with him. So he’s there just for the luck factor. Because otherwise, he cannot play in the 11 at all.”
The 1983 World Cup winning captain praised Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who returned with impressive figures of 3-5 in three overs he bowled. Srikkanth expressed his surprise that Kumar is currently not part of the Indian team
“He was moving it incredibly both ways. Even someone like Stubbs was clueless against him. Bhuvneshwar Kumar didn’t bowl well in that one match in the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal. He has bowled well every match since then,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
“He has one of the best track records in the IPL. I can’t believe he is not in the Indian side. He has won you so many matches just in his first spell. Bhuvneshwar Kumar showcased the art of seam and swing bowling.”
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will next take on Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Thursday.
