Royal Challengers Bengaluru are gearing up for a crucial clash against Lucknow Super Giants, but they're facing a selection dilemma. With Phil Salt still sidelined by injury, former India captain Kris Srikkanth has thrown his weight behind a bold batting order shake-up that could reignite RCB's campaign.
Srikkanth's advice is clear: let Devdutt Padikkal open alongside Virat Kohli, and shift the explosive Jacob Bethell into the middle order. Bethell, who earned his spot after a stellar ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, has been thrust into the opener's role during Salt's absence. So far, though, the results have been modest—just 39 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 150. Srikkanth believes RCB are missing that "swashbuckler" presence at the top that Salt provided so effectively.
"Salt brought the demolishing factor," Srikkanth explained on his YouTube channel, 'Cheeky Cheeka'. "Other teams have players like Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head, or Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, who bring that demolition factor. RCB lacks it. Salt was the one who gave them that attacking structure. You need a swashbuckler at the top, and that is missing."
The former India captain also pointed out that RCB's middle order has been vulnerable against quality bowling, with positions four through seven collapsing far too often. By moving Bethell to the middle order, Srikkanth argues, the team could bolster its spine while letting Padikkal's newfound aggression shine at the top.
And Padikkal has been nothing short of sensational this season. Known earlier as a slow starter, he has completely transformed his T20 game, becoming one of the league's most feared top-order batters. In nine matches, he has amassed 282 runs at a blistering strike rate of 188, providing the explosive starts that have defined RCB's batting strategy. His IPL success follows a prolific 2025–26 domestic campaign, proving this is no flash in the pan.
With RCB looking to find their rhythm, Srikkanth's suggestion could be the spark they need—pairing Kohli's experience with Padikkal's firepower at the top, and giving Bethell a chance to anchor the middle order. It's a gamble, but for a team chasing consistency, it might just pay off.