Sunil Gavaskar strongly criticised Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag for handing the ball to Donovan Ferreira during a crucial stage of RR's defeat to Delhi Capitals, calling the decision "suicidal. "
Delhi Capitals stayed alive in the IPL 2026 playoff race with a vital win over Rajasthan Royals, but Gavaskar believes one tactical call completely shifted the game.
Speaking on Star Sports' Amul Cricket Live, Gavaskar questioned why Parag trusted Ferreira - who had bowled no previous overs and registered a golden duck with the bat - in such a decisive moment.
Donovan Ferreira over a "match-losing decision"
"Handing the ball to Donovan Ferreira to bowl the 18th over was a suicidal move," Gavaskar said.
"You are bringing a slow bowler on a pitch offering him no help. He was just bowling in the
slot. It was his first over of the match. "
Ferreira conceded 16 runs in the over as Delhi seized momentum late in the chase.
According to Gavaskar, the issue was not even about the runs conceded - but the tactical logic behind the decision itself.
"He had scored a golden duck"
Gavaskar also pointed out Ferreira's difficult overall game before being handed the ball.
"He had also scored a golden duck with the bat. Sometimes you must look at where the luck is going that day. "
"If he had scored 40 or 50 runs and was high on confidence, giving him an over would have made sense. But he got out first ball, and you still gave him the ball. "
Why Gavaskar believed RR should have trusted specialists
The former India captain argued Rajasthan Royals should have backed one of their frontline bowlers instead of turning to a part-time option under pressure.
"Riyan Parag could have handed the ball to a proper bowler, a regular bowler," Gavaskar said.
"Even if that bowler gave away 20 runs, that's not the point. The point is that at that crucial stage, giving the ball to Donovan Ferreira was a suicidal decision by Rajasthan Royals. "
Mitchell Starc's death overs turned the match
Gavaskar also praised Mitchell Starc for changing the game with his spell at the death.
While Starc was expensive early, his return overs prevented Rajasthan from finishing strongly.
"It's not just about how many wickets you take. It's about when you take them," Gavaskar explained.
"Mitchell Starc didn't have a great power play. But when he came back at the death, he bowled with great control. He didn't let the Rajasthan batters free their arms. "
"Those wickets turned the match in Delhi's favour. "
RR playoff hopes under pressure after latest collapse
The defeat further complicated Rajasthan Royals' playoff scenario after another loss from a winning position.
Gavaskar even linked RR's recent collapses to Punjab Kings still remaining alive in the playoff race.
"I wouldn't be surprised to see Punjab Kings make the playoffs because teams like Rajasthan Royals are doing their best not to qualify," Gavaskar said.
With the playoff race tightening, RR's tactical calls under pressure are now coming under increasing scrutiny.
