“If he’s started badly, then he doesn’t come back strongly”

Former India cricketer Murali Kartik has raised concerns over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) spinner Suyash Sharma. The franchise will be in action later today (Friday, May 22) when they face SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Game 67 of IPL 2026 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

While both sides have qualified for the playoffs, the game carries immense importance in terms of finishing in the top two. Speaking during a discussion on Cricbuzz, Kartik stated that Suyash bowls well when RCB are in a strong position but tends to leak runs and is not fully reliable when he has to handle pressure alone. In 11 innings, he has picked up eight wickets at an average of 42.50, with a strike rate of 28.3 and an economy of 8.98. Kartik said:

“But I still have a question mark over Suyash Sharma because when things are fine, Suyash Sharma is fine. But when he has to bowl on his own, there are times where he leaks a few runs. So is that something which opposition will target? I feel there are times where he leaks a few runs. If he’s started well, then it’s fine. If he’s started badly, then he doesn’t come back strongly.”

Meanwhile, after missing the match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), RCB skipper Rajat Patidar is available for the game vs SRH. Speaking on RCB’s XI, Kartik stated that Venkatesh Iyer, who made an unbeaten 73 in the last outing, could be made to open the innings as Jacob Bethell has struggled, scoring 96 runs in seven innings. He said:

“It’s a tough one, isn’t it? Maybe get him (Venkatesh Iyer) to open the innings. He’s done that in the past. Jacob Bethell hasn’t got runs at all. So that frees up a spot for you. If Phil Salt is back, because when we were in Dharamshala, we got the news that he’s still not in India. So I don’t know what’s happening on that front. That is something which we need to find out.”

RCB are currently at the top of the table with 18 points from 13 games.

“Maybe he comes in” – Murali Kartik on SRH’s XI vs RCB

In the same discussion, Murali Kartik noted that SRH might include Harsh Dubey if the pitch offers some assistance to spin, in place of Praful Hinge, and said:

“I think so. It’s worked well for them unless and until there’s some turn. Maybe he (Harsh Dubey) comes in. He’s just received an India call-up for the Test matches. It could be that Sakib, Pat Cummins, Eshan Malinga are the three seamers and you’ve got Shivang Kumar and Harsh Dubey because Nitish Kumar Reddy is also giving them lots of options with the seam. Not pick Praful Hinge.”

SRH are placed third on the table with eight wins, collecting 16 points from 13 games.