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"Pick Chahar, back Vaibhav": Kris Srikkanth drops bold IPL auction advice for RR and LSG

Akshita Patel

IPL auction to kick off on December 16 [Source: @Sachin_Gandhi7, @RR_for_LIFE/X.com]IPL auction to kick off on December 16 [Source: @Sachin_Gandhi7, @RR_for_LIFE/X.com]

With the IPL 2026 auction just hours away, former India captain Kris Srikkanth has stirred discussion by sharing his clear and outspoken views on how Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) should shape their squads. 

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth broke down key gaps, ideal targets, and role clarity that could define the coming season.

Srikkanth wants RR to go after Bishnoi, Rachin

Focusing first on Rajasthan Royals, Kris Srikkanth was full of praise for young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who grabbed headlines after scoring a stunning century against the Gujarat Titans. 

According to Srikkanth, Vaibhav is already playing at a level worthy of the international stage. He even suggested the teenager should be considered for India’s T20 World Cup plans.

When it came to strengthening RR’s batting, Srikkanth pointed towards Venkatesh Iyer or Rachin Ravindra as solid options at no. 3. 

 "Vaibhav Suryavanshi has been extraordinary since scoring that hundred against GT. He should actually be in the 15 for the T20 World Cup; he's playing at that level. Venkatesh Iyer or Rachin Ravindra might be good fits for them at No. 3,” Srikkanth said.

In the spin department, Srikkanth made a surprising call. He preferred Rahul Chahar over Ravi Bishnoi, praising Chahar’s control, experience, and consistency as a leg-spinner.

While he acknowledged that RR might still pursue Bishnoi, his own choice was clear. He also backed Michael Bracewell as a smart pick, calling him an ideal utility player who could act as a secondary spinner and slot in neatly at no. 8.

"Between Ravi Bishnoi and Rahul Chahar, I'll go for Chahar. He's a brilliant leg-spinner. I won't go for Bishnoi, but maybe RR will go for him. Michael Bracewell will be an ideal fit for them, too. He'll be a good secondary spinner to Jadeja and fit in perfectly at No. 8," he added.

Srikkanth urges LSG to opt for fast bowlers

Turning his attention to Lucknow Super Giants, Kris Srikkanth stressed the importance of role clarity. He firmly stated that Nicholas Pooran must bat at no. 3, arguing that the explosive left-hander is wasted lower down the order.

If LSG opt for Venkatesh Iyer, Srikkanth suggested a reshuffle with Iyer at no. 4 and Rishabh Pant at no. 5. 

With LSG having released Bishnoi, Srikkanth once again floated Rahul Chahar as a potential replacement. 

"Nicholas Pooran has to bat at No. 3. He can't bat at 5. So even if they go for Venkatesh Iyer, he has to bat at 4 with Rishabh Pant at 5. They left Ravi Bishnoi, so in that spot, they can go for Rahul Chahar. Fast bowlers, they can go for Duffy or Nortje. They can try Matt Henry also. Ngidi is another one that they and almost all teams can go for. He's a much-improved bowler now."

For pace options, he named Gerald Coetzee, Jacob Duffy, Anrich Nortje, Matt Henry, and Lungi Ngidi, noting that Ngidi, in particular, has shown significant improvement and could be a valuable asset across conditions.