Former Indian batter Mohammad Kaif has questioned Rajat Patidar’s technique against short-pitch deliveries after RCB registered a six-wicket win against KKR at Raipur on Wednesday. The RCB skipper was dismissed by Sunil Narine after scoring 8-ball 11.
However, before he was dismissed, the right-hander was troubled by KKR speedster Kartik Tyagi, who has impressed one and all with his extra pace. It has been noted that Patidar has failed to bring his best while facing the bumpers and the opposition pacers have targeted him with short-pitch deliveries.
Patidar is known for his impressive game against the spinners and has scored 337 runs in 11 innings in the ongoing IPL 2026 at an average of 33.70 and a strike rate of 192.57.
Kaif said on his YouTube Channel, “Rajat Patidar is facing problems with short deliveries. He has to work against bouncers. Other teams would be noting that. There would be a short ball plan. I was surprised he was closing his eyes against short balls. You need to keep your eyes on the ball. When you are surrendering, you can get hit anywhere. His technique against short balls has been exposed.”
The former UP urged the defending champions to bring back leg-spinner Suyash Sharma into their playing XI. RCB included both Jacob Duffy and Josh Hazlewood against KKR and only played a solitary spinner in Krunal Pandya.
“I think they need one more spinner to win the IPL. They have to bring back Suyash Sharma. Last year, two spinners won the title. Suyash Sharma in the qualifier and Krunal Pandya in the final.”
Sharma has scalped seven wickets in 10 matches of the ongoing season. On the other hand, Kaif reckons Varun Chakravarthy’s absence due to a niggle made a huge difference for KKR.
“Varun Chakaravarthy’s absence made the difference. If he were there, the match would’ve been close. There is no Pathirana, no Harshit Rana; many of their many bowlers are injured. Even Virat Kohli didn’t hit against Narine. If Narine were with Varun, the match would’ve been close. Varun was the man of the match twice when KKR won four matches in a row.”
KKR will next take on Gujarat Titans at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Saturday.
