“Quota for the season is over” - Ex-India captain tears into Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar ahead of MI vs RCB clash

Former Indian cricket team captain Kris Srikkanth criticized Mumbai Indians (MI) fast bowler Shardul Thakur ahead of the match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Srikkanth stated that RCB batters will smash the right-arm fast bowler in the upcoming match, adding that his quota for the season is over.

Mumbai Indians will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in an evening match at the Wankhede Stadium. Both teams are eager to secure two points in this Sunday clash. Mumbai are coming off consecutive defeats, while the Royal Challengers suffered their first loss against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in their previous match.

Quota for the Season Is Over in the First Match Itself - Kris Srikkanth Criticizes Shardul Thakur

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kris Srikkanth said that RCB batters will dominate Shardul Thakur in the upcoming match. Srikkanth stated that Shardul and Deepak Chahar should not play together in the playing XI.

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"Shardul Thakur's quota for the season is over in the first match itself with a Player of the Match award. The RCB batters will smash him to Marine Drive and Church Gate station. They can't play Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar together. If they both play, those eight overs will go for atleast 96 runs," Srikkanth said.

Shardul Thakur recorded figures of 3/39 in the Mumbai Indians’ opening match victory against the Kolkata Knight Riders. However, his form dipped in the following two games, where he managed only one wicket and conceded runs at an economy rate above 15.

Kris Srikkanth Criticizes Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar

Kris Srikkanth expressed strong disappointment with the performances of Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar. Srikkanth stated that Boult and Jasprit Bumrah should share the new ball, adding that Ashwani Kumar is a better option than Chahar.

Boult went wicketless in two matches and conceded runs at 12 runs per over. Chahar has taken only one wicket this season at an economy rate of 10.50.

"Trent Boult has been a big let down for them. If at all they play him and Bumrah, they'll have to open with these two. Boult must bowl the first over," Srikkanth stated.

"Deepak Chahar should not even be in the 11. Ashwani Kumar is a good player who won a Player of the Match also last year. Play him instead of Chahar. Deepak Chahar is done. He is playing like someone who should be sent to a mechanic's shed," he added.

Kris Srikkanth on Changes to Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Playing XI

Kris Srikkanth urged the Royal Challengers Bengaluru management to drop Philip Salt and Abhinandan Singh. Srikkanth suggested that Jacob Bethell and Suyash Sharma should replace these underperforming cricketers against Mumbai Indians.

"They have to drop Abhinandan Singh. MI will definitely smash him. Suyash Sharma has to replace him. Jacob Bethell has to play instead of Phil Salt. It was in Mumbai that he scored the century against India. Salt should be given a break," said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).

"Let Padikkal open the batting with Bethell at 3. England self-destructed by waiting for Salt's one magical innings in the T20 World Cup. He's not good based on recent form."

Also read: “Travesty if ignored” - Ex-India opener backs Shreyas Iyer for India captaincy role amid IPL 2026