Gautam Gambhir was attacked, abused, and insulted by Indian fans after the Indian coach stuck to his odd plans to send Axar Patel ahead of KL Rahul, despite India needing runs quickly with 30 overs passed by and not even 150 runs on the board.
India has not made the best of starts to the Australia ODI tour and further failed to capitalize with the players moving onto one of their favourite venues the Adelaide. Sent in to bat first, the Indian top-order struggled again, as Rohit Sharma and Shreyas Iyer added some crucial runs in a hundred-run partnership between the two.
However, Rohit Sharma’s stunning comeback flair ended in a dramatic dismissal off Mitchell Starc, and Adam Zampa got the better of Shreyas Iyer after the batter looked to take his stride forward against the veteran Australian spinner.
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Gautam Gambhir has been a disgrace ever since he joined the Indian team. Though India has occasionally had success against his odd-looking strategies, he has also faced repeated criticism for his moves.
This time in the Australia tour, Gambhir had come up with a new strategy to send in Axar Patel, the seasoned all-rounder, ahead of KL Rahul in the Indian batting order. The left-hander is one of the only left-handed batters on the side, with Washington Sundar coming during the later phases.
At times, Gambhir has argued to prefer a left-hand right-hand combination and has highlighted its importance. KL Rahul has hence once again been snubbed, and Axar Patel has been welcomed to bat at no. 5 despite 30 overs already being bowled out before the third wicket fell.
Rohit Sharma issues a massive statement with a terrific half-century at Adelaide
Indian batting legend Rohit Sharma has finally made a strong comeback to the ODI format. The batter made a much-awaited comeback at Perth, but his return was short-lived as he was dismissed by Josh Hazlewood for just 8 runs.
Going into Adelaide, Rohit looked much more determined to score crucial runs for the Indian side as he aims to keep World Cup hopes intact. Sharma has played a fine knock under pressure. Taking blows onto himself, struggling in the power play, Rohit thrived throughout the first 30 overs scoring 73 runs
“What a mess Gautam Gambhir has made of this great Indian cricket team!” Gautam Gambhir roasted for controversial moves with the batting order
What a mess Gautam Gambhir has made of this great Indian cricket team!
First, dropping the explosive left-hander Yashasvi Jaiswal for their “princess” Shubman Gill?
Then, slotting Axar Patel at No. 5 and shoving KL Rahul even lower down the order—zero logic there!
And… pic.twitter.com/UKXB9zcb32
— Easy Talks (@EasyAsPie372040) October 23, 2025
Rohit
Gill
Virat
ShreyasSb right handers h
But is mdc @GautamGambhir g@mdbhir ko KL Rahul ke waqt hi Left right Ka RR Krna h saala su@r ka bachha insecurity se bhadaa hua cricketer h ye mdc#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/3jY0qSDOYh
— Som (@SM_36063) October 23, 2025
Bhai kuch bhi mat bolo, Axar Patel ko experienced banane ke liye KL Rahul ko daav par laga do.
Fir wo accha perform nahi karega to usko nikal kar Pant ko khila lo.
Well Done!— Chattarpal Singh (@MehentiLadka) October 23, 2025
Why wasn’t KL Rahul sent above Axar when only 31 overs were bowled and 19 more overs were left?
Are we grooming Rahul as some sort of finisher in the ODIs?
Not taking anything away from Axar but he is better playing in last 10-12 overs.
KL needs time to get his eyes in
— Brutal Truth (@sarkarstix) October 23, 2025
What the hell is this strategy of sending Axar Patel before KL Rahul!! He is an opener in test and T20s and you’re sending him at number 6 , you expect blind slogging from your test opener?#INDvsAUS #klrahul #bcci #bccipresident
— Harsh Srivastava (@HarshSr69382182) October 23, 2025
By Gautam Gambhir’s logic, Left-right combination isn’t needed in the Top 4.
Gambhir knew — whatever you ask KL RAHUL to do, he’ll happily accept it.
A Proven Performer at No. 5 now finds himself batting below Axar Patel in ODIs
— Jyotirmay Das (@dasjy0tirmay) October 23, 2025
Axar Patel
KL Rahul
Washington Sundar
NKR
worst middle order for ODIs. With this combo India cant win a single series.
Bring in Pant and Pandya.#INDvsAUS— pratap (@rpratapreddys) October 23, 2025
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