Former Indian batter Subramaniam Badrinath questioned Rajasthan Royals for using Ravindra Jadeja as an Impact Sub in the last game against Mumbai Indians. Jadeja scored an unbeaten knock of 19 runs off just 11 balls to help RR post a competitive total of 205 runs on the board.

Jadeja then returned with figures of 0-24 in two overs he bowled. In the post-match presentation, RR skipper Riyan Parag revealed Jadeja has some niggles here and there, but he would be fine for the all-important Eliminator contest against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Badrinath said on his YouTube Channel, “You’ve traded him for 18 crores, but the way they used him in the last match was very strange. He was strangely in the Impact Player list, came in after Jofra Archer, and didn’t complete his quota of overs. It’s not clear why they are not using such an experienced player to the fullest. There is a big question mark over that. Yet, looking at the overall trade now, Jadeja comes in, and RR make the playoffs, while CSK don’t with Sanju Samson.”

On the other hand, Badrinath rated Pat Cummins as the best captain in the world right now.

“They have the best batting lineup in the tournament and the best captain. Pat Cummins is the best captain in the world right now. He is like a big brother to the bowlers. The way he guides the younger bowlers like Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain is extraordinary.”

The former CSK batter reckons RR’s pack leader Jofra Archer’s opening spell against Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma will hold the key in the Eliminator. Archer had bagged 3-17 in his four overs in the last game against MI.

The Eliminator between SRH and RR will be played at New Chandigarh on Wednesday.