RCB must persist with Suyash Sharma to defend IPL title, says Tare after LSG loss
Synopsis
Aditya Tare's endorsement of Suyash Sharma cuts against the grain of RCB's recent bowling rotations. With only seven wickets in nine outings, Sharma looks vulnerable — yet Tare argues that abandoning him now would be costlier than trusting him through a rough patch. The real issue: RCB's sixth-bowler slot has been a chronic weak spot, and there's no easy fix.
Key Takeaways
Aditya Tare backs RCB to persist with leg-spinner Suyash Sharma despite poor form in their nine-run loss to LSG on 8 May 2026 .
Suyash Sharma has taken only 7 wickets in 9 matches and conceded 21 runs in 2 overs against LSG.
Mitchell Marsh scored 111 as LSG posted 209 for 3 (DLS target: 213 ).
Rajat Patidar hit 61 off 31 and Tim David made 40 off 17 , but RCB fell short at 203 for 6 .
Tare argues a specialist spinner is preferable to rotating all-rounders like Romario Shepherd for RCB's title defence.
Aditya Tare, the former Mumbai Indians batter, has backed Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to continue supporting young leg-spinner Suyash Sharma despite his costly performance in their nine-run defeat to Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on 8 May 2026. Tare argued that RCB's bowling unit lacks a dependable sixth option and that persisting with Sharma, rather than rotating part-time bowlers, is critical if the defending champions are to lift the trophy for a second time.
Suyash's struggles in IPL 2026
Suyash Sharma has appeared in nine matches so far this season, claiming only seven wickets. Against LSG, he conceded 21 runs in just two overs, a performance that underscored his recent form dip. Despite these numbers, Tare believes backing him is the right call.
Tare's case for continuity
Speaking on JioStar, Tare said: "RCB have always struggled to find a reliable sixth bowler. I believe they need to back Suyash Sharma more. He must bowl his full four-over quota. Yes, his line and length have drifted, and his form has dipped. But if RCB want to defend their IPL title, they must trust Suyash." The former batter emphasised that investing in a specialist spinner over rotating all-rounders like Romario Shepherd — who has also underperformed with the ball this season — would yield better long-term returns.
LSG's dominant batting display
Mitchell Marsh anchored LSG's innings with a brilliant 111, while captain Rishabh Pant and Nicholas Pooran contributed useful runs as the Super Giants posted 209 for 3. The total, adjusted to 213 under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, proved just beyond RCB's reach.
RCB's chase falls short
Chasing the revised target, RCB fought back through skipper Rajat Patidar, who smashed 61 off 31 balls, and Tim David, who hammered 40 off 17 deliveries. However, timely breakthroughs from Prince and Shahbaz Ahmed saw LSG hold firm, restricting RCB to 203 for 6 and securing a nine-run victory. The loss leaves RCB's title defence under renewed scrutiny, with bowling depth emerging as a critical vulnerability heading into the business end of the tournament.
Point of View
In a short tournament, you back talent over form. Whether that pays off depends on whether Sharma's recent struggles are correctable or symptomatic of a deeper technical issue.
NationPress
9 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Aditya Tare believe RCB should back Suyash Sharma?
Tare argues that RCB's bowling combination lacks a dependable sixth option, and backing Sharma with a full four-over quota is better than rotating all-rounders or part-time bowlers. He believes specialist spinners offer more long-term value for a title defence, even during a rough patch.
What is Suyash Sharma's record in IPL 2026 so far?
Suyash Sharma has appeared in nine matches and taken only seven wickets. Against LSG, he conceded 21 runs in two overs, highlighting his recent form struggles.
How did RCB lose to LSG?
LSG posted 209 for 3 (213 under DLS), led by Mitchell Marsh's 111. RCB's Rajat Patidar (61 off 31) and Tim David (40 off 17) fought back, but timely wickets from Prince and Shahbaz Ahmed restricted RCB to 203 for 6, giving LSG a nine-run victory.
Who are the other bowling options RCB has considered instead of Suyash?
Tare specifically mentioned Romario Shepherd as an alternative all-rounder option, but noted that Shepherd has also underperformed with the ball in IPL 2026, making him a less reliable choice than persisting with Sharma.
