Former Indian fast bowler Mohit Sharma has questioned Romario Shepherd’s role after RCB registered a thrilling two-wicket win against Mumbai Indians at Raipur on Sunday. Sharma said the West Indies all-rounder has not lived up to the expectations in the last two games.
The hard hitter could only manage four runs off 11 balls in the run chase of 167. However, Shepherd returned with decent figures of 1-18 in the three overs he bowled. The right-hander had scored 23 runs off 15 balls in the last game against Lucknow Super Giants and had failed to add the finishing touches.
Shepherd has scalped six wickets in 11 matches of IPL 2026 at an average of 39.66 and an economy rate of 11.90.
“Romario Shepherd is being kept for this particular situation only, right? It was not as if he did not get enough balls to face. The platform that was there, it was exactly according to his batting style, and that is why he has been kept in the team. This is the 10th or 11th match of the season, you are getting a chance to show what you have been practicing for, and if you are not able to do it, then the same questions that we have been raising will be asked,” Mohit Sharma said on Cricbuzz.
“Yes, he bowled well today, but the conditions were difficult for batters. But before this, whenever he has been given chances, he has not lived up to expectations. In batting also, he got a chance today, and before today as well. Even in the match against LSG, the situation was perfect for him. So, he has not lived up to expectations two matches in a row. So, this is something to think about now,” he added.
On the other hand, former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan said the likes of Rajat Patidar, Jitesh Sharma, Romario Shepherd and Tim David didn’t fulfill their responsibility.
“When Rajat, Jitesh, Shepherd and Tim David fire, things become easy. But there was a lot at stake today, and today they didn’t fulfill their responsibility or absorb the pressure. It seemed like they were under a lot of pressure. So, that is definitely a problem. Looking at the Raipur pitch, it seems like it will trouble the batters,” Zaheer Khan said.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru will next take on Kolkata Knight Riders at Raipur on Wednesday.
