Head coach Gautam Gambhir has come under fire from former India opener and former selectors chairman Kris Srikkanth for dropping KL Rahul to No. 6 in the current ODI series against England. Rahul has performed well at No. 5 and shouldn’t have to bat lower in the order, according to Srikkanth, who called the shift unjust.
Rahul, who consistently performs at No. 5, has been India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in ODIs. To preserve a left-right batting combination in the current series against England, the Men in Blue have chosen to move Axar Patel up to No. 5. Rahul was moved to No. 6 as a result, where he has had little success, scoring just two and ten in the opening two games.
The Karnataka batter has encountered this circumstance previously. Under a similar left-right combo tactic, he was benched in favour of Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube in the 2024 ODI series against Sri Lanka. According to Srikkanth, Rahul’s confidence and rhythm were disrupted by these choices.
“Shreyas Iyer is playing well, which is good for India.” However, I feel bad for KL Rahul; that’s terrible. It is unfair what they are doing to KL Rahul, even when Axar Patel is scoring in the 30s and 40s. Take a look at his record; he has performed exceptionally well at number five. I have no idea how the team management feels about his role. He scores six or seven runs if he bats at number six or seven. On his YouTube channel, Srikkanth stated, “It’s unfair.”
Is it reasonable to reward a player who has excelled in international cricket? Kris Srikkanth
With scores of 52 and 41, Axar, who was elevated to No. 5 in both ODIs, provided justification for his selection. But Srikkanth disclosed that India’s practice of switching up the batting order frequently can backfire in crucial games.
“Hey, Gambhir, you’re doing something wrong. Yes, India can send Axar at No. 5 depending on the circumstances, but this cannot be a regular tactic. You already know that if you continue to make these changes, there will come a pivotal moment when everything breaks down. That is my concern. Talking about the left-right combo won’t help you defend it. Does that imply that a left-right combination in the top four is unimportant to you? Why is it just important at number five? He went on.
Additionally, Srikkanth provided a backup plan in case the team’s administration is adamant about a left-hander starting at number five. Instead of sending Rahul down the order, he thinks Rishabh Pant should be in the starting lineup.
“Axar Patel is taking advantage of his opportunities, therefore I don’t mind him. Rishabh Pant should be played at number six, though, if Rahul is being pushed down the order. Why belittle Rahul’s trust? Is a player who has excelled in world cricket being treated fairly? What you’ve done now is to also sideline Rishabh Pant. One of them must participate. Pant is likely to play in both the Champions Trophy and the third ODI, in my opinion. He went on to say, “Rahul might wind up warming the bench again.”
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