Despite India securing a 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against England, concerns over the team’s batting order have sparked debate. The decision-making regarding players like Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Hardik Pandya has left many questioning the team management’s approach. Former India captain Kris Srikkanth has been particularly vocal, targeting head coach Gautam Gambhir for mishandling KL Rahul’s role in the series.
Kris Srikkanth, a key member of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning squad, expressed his frustration in a video on his YouTube channel. He questioned Gautam Gambhir’s decisions, particularly the inconsistent utilization of KL Rahul in the batting lineup. Kris Srikkanth pointed out that KL Rahul has historically excelled at No. 5 and that shifting him further down the order has negatively impacted his performance. He argued that while Axar Patel has contributed with scores of 30s and 40s, sidelining KL Rahul is unfair, given his proven record in that position.
Kris Srikkanth directly challenged Gautam Gambhir, stating that the decision to prioritize Axar Patel over KL Rahul is flawed. While the left-hand-right-hand combination theory has been cited as justification for this approach, Kris Srikkanth remains unconvinced. He warned that continuing with such changes could prove costly in crucial matches.
“Hey, Gautam Gambhir, what you are doing is not right. Yes, depending on the situation, India can send Axar Patel at No. 5, but it cannot be a consistent strategy. If you keep making such changes, there will be a crucial match where everything falls apart. That’s what worries me,” he remarked.
Kris Srikkanth further criticized the selective application of the left-hand-right-hand strategy. He questioned why the theory is emphasized for the No. 5 position while being overlooked in the top four batting slots. He also highlighted that while Axar Patel has taken advantage of his opportunities, undermining KL Rahul’s confidence by demoting him is unwarranted.
Additionally, Kris Srikkanth raised concerns about Rishabh Pant’s absence from the playing XI. He suggested that KL Rahul’s demotion could lead to him being benched altogether, especially with Rishabh Pant likely to be included in the upcoming Champions Trophy.
“Now, what you’ve done is you’ve sidelined Rishabh Pant as well. One of them has to play. I have a feeling Rishabh Pant will feature in the third ODI and then in the Champions Trophy too. KL Rahul might end up warming the bench again. You should play your best player at No. 5, regardless of whether he is left-handed or right-handed,” he added.
The debate surrounding KL Rahul’s batting position continues, with many calling for a more consistent approach to team selection as India prepares for upcoming key tournaments.
