3 min learnUp to date: Apr 12, 2026 05:39 PM IST
Former India cricketer Kris Srikkanth has launched a scathing assault on Mumbai Indians’ fast-bowling all-rounder Shardul Thakur and in addition criticised pacer Deepak Chahar for letting the group down within the first few video games of IPL 2026.
Shardul Thakur received the Participant of the Match award for his three-wicket haul in opposition to Kolkata Knight Riders, however was costly for Mumbai Indians within the following two video games, each of which the five-time champions misplaced. After beginning their IPL 2026 marketing campaign with a win over KKR, Mumbai faltered in opposition to Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals.
In a marquee conflict on Sunday, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru will tackle MI. In his typical no-holds-barred fashion, Srikkanth stated Shardul is already carried out for the season after serving to his group win only one sport. “Shardul Thakur’s quota for the season is over within the first match itself with a Participant of the Match award. The RCB batters will smash him to Marine Drive and Church Gate station,” he stated on his YouTube channel.
The previous India captain argued that Mumbai can not play Shardul and Chahar collectively. He stated that in the event that they do, the duo will leak almost 100 runs of their mixed quota of eight overs. “They will’t play Shardul Thakur and Deepak Chahar collectively. In the event that they each play, these eight overs will go for no less than 96 runs,” he added.
Srikkanth went on to say that Chahar mustn’t even be within the taking part in XI, and argued that the group ought to play teenager Ashwani Kumar as a substitute. “Trent Boult has been an enormous letdown for them. In the event that they play him and Bumrah, they’ll should open with these two. Boult should bowl the primary over. Deepak Chahar mustn’t even be within the 11. Ashwani Kumar is an efficient participant who received a Participant of the Match award final yr as effectively. Play him as a substitute of Chahar. Deepak Chahar is finished. He’s taking part in like somebody who needs to be despatched to a mechanic’s shed,” stated Srikkanth.
Srikkanth, who had earlier slammed RCB for taking part in Abhinandan Singh, stated Bengaluru might want to drop the Uttar Pradesh pacer and also needs to exchange Phil Salt with Jacob Bethell for the essential sport on the Wankhede Stadium. “They should drop Abhinandan Singh. Mumbai will certainly smash him. Suyash Sharma has to exchange him. Jacob Bethell has to play as a substitute of Phil Salt. It was in Mumbai that he [Bethell] scored the century in opposition to India. Salt needs to be given a break. Let Padikkal open the batting with Bethell at No. 3. England self-destructed by ready for Salt’s one magical innings within the T20 World Cup. He’s not good based mostly on latest kind,” he stated.