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India's 1983 World Cup-winning member Krishnamachari Srikkanth has openly called out head coach Gautam Gambhir for his strategy towards KL Rahul's batting position in the ongoing ODI series against England.
Kris Srikkanth disapproved Gautam Gambhir-led team management's decision to alter KL Rahul's batting position. Srikkanth talked about Rahul's impressive track record at No. 5 and argued that using the left-right batting combination as justification for moving him from his preferred spot in the ODI batting order is unjustified. Srikkanth's criticism comes after Axar Patel was promoted to no.5 in the first two ODIs of the ongoing series against Englan. Axar made the most of this opportunity, scoring a 47-ball 52 in the series opener in Nagpur and a 43-ball 41 in the second match in Cuttack. This change in the batting order was implemented to maintain a left-right batting combination during the middle overs.
Gambhir, what you are doing is not right: Kris Srikkanth on KL Rahul's batting order
Rahul's move down the batting order proved ineffective, as he didn't click with the bat in first two ODIs. Batting at No. 6, he was dismissed for just 2 runs off 9 balls in the first match and managed only 10 runs off 14 balls in the second.
"Shreyas Iyer is in good form, which is a positive for India. But I feel for KL Rahul, it’s very unfortunate. Yes, Axar Patel is scoring 30s and 40s, but what they are doing with KL Rahul is not fair. Look at his record, he has excelled at No. 5, with a brilliant record. I don’t know what the team management is thinking regarding his position. If he bats at No. 6 or 7, he ends up scoring 6 or 7. It’s unfair," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
"Hey, Gambhir, what you are doing is not right. Yes, depending on the situation, India can send Axar at No. 5, but it cannot be a consistent strategy. If you keep making such changes, you know what will happen—there will be a crucial match where everything falls apart. That’s what worries me," he added.
"You can’t justify it by talking about the left-right combination. Does that mean you don’t care about a left-right combination in the top four? Why does it only matter at No. 5? I have no issue with Axar Patel—he is making the most of his chances. But if you’re pushing Rahul down the order, then play Rishabh Pant at No. 6. Why undermine Rahul’s confidence? Is it fair to a player who has performed brilliantly in world cricket?," former India's star opener further stated.
Srikkanth further said that if Rahul is to consistently bat at No. 6, India might be better served by playing Rishabh Pant in that position. Pant was chosen as the backup wicketkeeper for both the ODI series and the Champions Trophy but was excluded from the playing XI for the first two ODIs. India opted instead for five frontline bowlers alongside all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
"Now, what you’ve done is you’ve sidelined Rishabh Pant as well. One of them has to play. I have a feeling Pant will feature in the third ODI and then in the Champions Trophy too. 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," Srikkanth concluded.
KL Rahul's track record at no.5 and no.6 batting position
Rahul's boasts an incredible batting average of 57.22 while batting at no.5. He has amassed 1,259 runs in 30 matches in the same batting position. On the other hand, his record at No. 6 is considerably isn't impressive, with only 54 runs in four matches.
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