'If he bowls 3 overs, RCB are gone' - Kris Srikkanth’s blunt statement on Romario Shepherd ahead of IPL 2026 final

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, May 31.

One of the main areas of discussion regarding the RCB lineup is whether Phil Salt will make his comeback or Venkatesh Iyer will continue as the opener for the defending champions. Kris Srikkanth opined that RCB should persist with Iyer even if Salt is fit, as the Madhya Pradesh star has been in solid form this season. The former India opener also mentioned that the Royal Challengers shouldn't have Romario Shepherd in the playing XI, whilst slamming his bowling credentials.

"There is no news about Phil Salt yet so they shouldn't change now even if he's fit, as Venkatesh Iyer is doing well. The only way RCB can lose is if Romario Shepherd bowls three overs. If he bowls three overs, RCB are gone. Shepherd shouldn't bowl and should not be in the 11 at all," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

"RCB only struggle if one of these two gets out early" - Kris Srikkanth on GT's tactics for IPL 2026 final

Srikkanth believes that for the Titans to emerge victorious, they will have to stop Virat Kohli from scoring big. He also mentioned the importance of breaking the Kohli-Devdutt Padikkal partnership.

"If at all GT has to win, they'll have to break the Virat Kohli-Devdutt Padikkal partnership. RCB always wins if Virat Kohli just makes 40. But it's his partnership with Padikkal that's key for them. RCB only struggle if one of these two gets out early and there is no substantial partnership between the two," said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).

Srikkanth went on to add that Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj will have to bowl well with the new ball, and the GT bowlers would have to dismiss two out of Kohli, Padikkal, and Rajat Patidar early.

"GT's only hope of winning is getting all three of Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, and Rajat Patidar out early. If any two out of these three click, RCB are winners. So GT have to dismiss atleast two of these three early to have any chance of winning. Rabada and Siraj have to bowl well in tandem for GT to win," added Srikkanth.