Former Indian spinner Murali Kartik said more was expected of Yashasvi Jaiswal after Rajasthan Royals were knocked out of IPL 2026. The inaugural champions suffered a seven-wicket loss against Gujarat Titans at New Chandigarh on Friday.
Jaiswal was dismissed after scoring only one run in the second qualifier as he could not give a good start to his team. The left-hander had an indifferent IPL 2026 campaign, scoring 427 runs in 16 matches at an average of 30.50 and a strike rate of 152.50.
Murali Kartik pointed out that Jaiswal got off to a good start in the season but veered off the track in the latter half.
Kartik said on Cricbuzz, “I think just the way their top three have performed, maybe they would have wanted more runs from Yashasvi Jaiswal as well, who started brilliantly in the first three games. I think it was close to 200 runs, and then his season tailed off. Yes, he’s still got runs, close to 450, but yes, Jaiswal, we expect more.”
The former left-arm orthodox spinner said RR’s bowling unit could not deliver consistently. Kartik highlighted that, barring Jofra Archer, none of the other bowlers were consistent.
“I would say that their bowling is still not complete. Because you look at Jofra Archer, he’s been firing for them right through the season. Yes, he has been expensive as well, but he has picked up some crucial wickets. The other bowlers have been hot and cold. Sandeep Sharma started well, then he got injured. Nandre Burger started really well, then he tailed off. Brijesh Sharma has had his moments. Ravindra Jadeja has been underutilized. Yash Raj Punja has been a breath of fresh air. Yes, he didn’t have the best of days today, but that can happen. Ravi Bishnoi started really nicely, but he tailed off.”
Kartik added that RR would want more runs from their leader, Riyan Parag. The RR skipper scored 309 runs in 14 matches at an average of 23.77 and a strike rate of 157.65 in IPL 2026.
He concluded, “What they would like is more runs from Riyan Parag because he’s the leader now. I think there have been some positives from him when it comes to leadership because he’s unafraid to take a few bold calls and unafraid to say a few things which can ruffle a few feathers. But if you look at it in a different way, here is a captain who’s ready to take his team along with him. And at the end of the day, in spite of all the turmoil, whatever the topsy-turvy turns that you’ve had, you’ve managed to finish third. So that’s a big positive for them.”
RR would aim to bounce back strongly in the next season.
