Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth slammed Shardul Thakur’s performance after Mumbai Indians suffered a 18-run loss against Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Wankhede Stadium, Bengaluru on Sunday.

Thakur returned with expensive figures of 1-32 in two overs he bowled against the reigning champions. Though Thakur accounted for RCB opener Phil Salt, he proved to be expensive as he conceded his runs at 16.

Kris Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “They are trusting Shardul Thakur for a wicket, which shows how much MI’s bowling has deteriorated. Phil Salt just slogged and got out to him. That’s the only way Shardul Thakur can get wickets. Some batter will swing the bat so hard and sky one. After that, he’ll celebrate by lifting his hands, and people will hail him as Lord Thakur. I’ll even take a wicket by giving away 40 runs in two overs.”

Srikkanth also criticised Trent Boult, who returned with expensive figures of 1-50 in his quota of four overs.

“Trent Boult’s nuts and bolts have been removed. He is not getting any swing and is bowling at low speeds. In fact, he is bowling slowly. They should sit Trent Boult the rest of the way and try to get Will Jacks in his place. The speed at which he’s bowling, why is he trying short balls to Salt?”

Srikkanth added that MI’s bowling is looking toothless and Jasprit Bumrah’s wicketless campaign thus far is further adding to the franchise’s trouble.

“MI’s bowling lacks any penetration. Bumrah is not taking wickets at all. They won in 2019 or 2020 because Bumrah would take a wicket upfront. India basically won the last two T20 World Cups with one bowler, that’s him. He’s bowling very economically, which is fantastic. But his wickets column is the biggest problem for them,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).

Bumrah returned with 0-35 in his four overs against RCB. Mumbai Indians will next take on Punjab Kings at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, on Thursday.