Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth has suggested that Royal Challengers Bengaluru should drop Romario Shepherd from their playing XI for the first qualifier against Gujarat Titans at Dharamshala on Tuesday.

Srikkanth highlighted that Shepherd is proving to be costly in all the matches. Shepherd has scalped seven wickets in 12 innings but he has bowled with an expensive economy rate of 11.59 in the ongoing season. 

Srikkanth wants RCB to play either Phil Salt (if he is fit) or Jacob Duffy in place of Romario Shepherd.

“Whether Salt is fit or not remains a question. The one change I’ll make is to drop Romario Shepherd. He consistently gives 13 to 15 an over. I will play either Salt or Duffy instead of him. If it’s Salt, Venkatesh Iyer will give the same sixth bowling option as Romario Shepherd. He will also give the same 25 runs in two overs. Shepherd is guaranteed 40 runs off three overs with the ball. That Venkatesh Iyer himself can fill in.”

The 1983 World Cup winning player reckons RCB can drop leg-spinner Suyash Sharma as Dharamshala pitch will assist the pacers.

“So Salt will play if he’s fit. Venkatesh Iyer will come in the middle order. I don’t need Romario Shepherd at all. There is no hope for spinners in Dharamsala. So I won’t be surprised if they drop Suyash Sharma for Qualifier 1. They will play a medium pacer instead of him. In that case, Duffy can come in for him. In the last few matches, Suyash Sharma has also been hit.”

The former Indian skipper reckons the partnership between Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal will hold the key for RCB against GT.

“The key for RCB this season has been the partnership between Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal. Padikkal has been the key catalyst for them this year. Nobody has noticed him hitting, but RCB has won many matches because of him. Then Patidar comes in and smashes the bowling. So between these three, two of them have to score,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).

RCB will take on GT in the first qualifier on Tuesday.