The decision of India’s batting order was very controversial as the experiment didn’t turn out well for them in the second T20I against South Africa on December 11. In the midst of constant order changes, the Indian team management even ousted captain Suryakumar Yadav’s position.
Although the right-handed batsman usually bats at no. 3, he was sent to bat at number four when the team was chasing a big total of 214 runs. Axar Patel was promoted to number three and the gamble did not pay off as India faced a heavy defeat of 51 runs in the end.
Batting first, South Africa set an imposing total of 213/4 in 20 overs. Quinton de Kock was the leading scorer among the South African batters with 90 runs off only 46 balls. India, on the other hand, were all out for a meager 162 runs. Tilak Varma (62) was the only Indian batsman who seemed to be fighting back but his contribution was insufficient to win the match.
Robin Uthappa slams Gautam Gambhir:
After the match, former India batsman Robin Uthappa was very critical and expressed his discontent with the Indian team-management as the latter was manipulating the batting order. Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn shared the same view as he together with Uthappa cautioned the Men in Blue against such late-stage experiments just before the T20 World Cup, which they would then be more likely to lose.
“Honestly, I really don’t see it that way. I am only following his words. In the pre-series presser, he said the opening pair is fixed, but all others are moving pieces and must be flexible. I respect him, but I have a different view. When you are chasing a big score, your solid batters — your best batters — should walk in,” Uthappa said on JioHotstar.
A pinch hitter can only be effective if he plays in that manner. In the case of Axar, if he was put in today’s scenario as a pinch hitter, the innings of 21 runs off 21 balls should not have been his; he should have taken the aggressive route and been dismissed in the process. Yet, even that scheme does not win my endorsement. After losing a key batsman in the first or second over, the need at the crease is for stability. There is something wrong here, and India has to rectify it before it turns into a norm,” he remarked.
Dale Steyn on India’s batting order:
In contrast, Steyn stated that Indian team-management had ‘thrown Axar to the wolves’ by bringing him up to the third position when the team was under pressure of a massive target.
“You’re best batter is supposed to be at that position. It’s not a trial-and-error situation—it’s simply a big mistake in my opinion. And yes, Axar can bat but sending him there felt like throwing him to the wolves. What was the role? If he walked in to slog from ball one, fine. Or if Abhishek had gotten out first and you wanted to maintain a left-right combination, that also makes sense.
“But it was a right-hander who got out, and you ended up with two left-handers at the top. A lot of question marks there. Perhaps there’s experimentation happening, similar to what’s happening in South Africa. But tonight, in a match where you could’ve gone 2–1 up, I’d have sent your best batters and kept things simple,” said Steyn
Robin Uthappa’s message for Gautam Gambhir:
In the process of experimenting with the batting order, Gautam Gambhir has been sending out messages to Robin Uthappa who is his former teammate at both India and IPLs. The former cricketer turned commentator highlighted the need to have the same three players for the top batting order. He further emphasized that the team should not alter the batting order during the first six overs.
“Just fix your top three no matter if you are setting a target or chasing one. These positions are for specialists. Flexibility has its place, but that comes only after the first six overs when you have built a foundation. You cannot build that foundation when players are not clear about their roles for the day.
“Using a pinch-hitter is only fine in the right scenario — for example, if Abhishek gets out early and you keep the left-right combination while still sending your best batter. Had he come in at one-drop, he would have gotten around 60 balls; instead, he walked in at No. 4. This constant experimentation has been happening for quite some time and I fear it will cost India at a critical time during a major tournament. You definitely don’t want such situations in a World Cup,” he stated.
