Former Indian opener Kris Srikkanth slammed Punjab Kings’ fast bowler Xavier Bartlett after they suffered a six-wicket loss against Mumbai Indians at Dharamshala on Thursday. Bartlett was given the final over by Shreyas Iyer when Mumbai Indians needed 15 runs to win, but the Australian could not defend it.
The right-arm seamer conceded 53 runs in 3.5 overs he bowled against MI and also went wicketless. Bartlett has scalped five wickets in nine matches of the ongoing IPL 2026 at an average of 77.60 and an economy rate of 11.58. Thus, he has failed to deliver the goods for the Mohali-based franchise.
Srikkanth said on his YouTube Channel, “They might as well play Lockie Ferguson for this. Bartlett is a waste and is a terrible cricketer. He’s just playing in the Australian quota.”
The 1983 World Cup-winning player also questioned the performance of Marco Jansen, who conceded 22 runs in the 18th over. The South African returned with expensive figures of 1-53 in his four overs.
He added, “Jansen is an international quality bowler. They are trusting him with the ball at the end. He should have finished it off PBKS. Instead, he is getting smashed fully. Three of the five PBKS bowlers actually bowled well. But Jansen and Bartlett are giving 50 every match. And they are playing every match.”
The former Indian skipper highlighted that Shreyas Iyer didn’t bowl Yuzvendra Chahal at the right time against Mumbai Indians.
“Will anyone bring him in for the 16th over with two left-handers batting? He should have finished by the 13th or 14th over. Chahal was getting purchase, and they were struggling to play him. Rutherford didn’t know how to bat at all. That’s where PBKS choked MI. Shreyas Iyer again made the mistake of bowling Chahal at the wrong time. Bowling him in the 16th over when they had to go for it was wrong,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
Punjab Kings will next take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Dharamshala on Sunday.
