Former India cricketer criticizes Axar Patel’s promotion ahead of KL Rahul in England ODIs

Team India successfully chased down a challenging target of 305 runs against England in the second ODI at Cuttack on Sunday, with skipper Rohit Sharma leading from the front with the bat.

While the victory appeared comfortable, certain decisions by the Gautam Gambhir-led team management have left experts puzzled. Former India cricketer Dodda Ganesh was particularly vocal on social media, raising some critical questions about the team's approach.

One of the most debated decisions was sending all-rounder Axar Patel ahead of wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, a move that has been repeated multiple times in this series.

Rahul, a natural top-order batter, has frequently had his batting position altered to fit the team’s strategy. Additionally, despite not being a specialist wicketkeeper, he has been assigned the role to help balance the playing XI.

While the choice of Rahul over Rishabh Pant as the wicketkeeper hasn’t sparked much controversy, his batting position has raised eyebrows. In the second ODI, Rahul was sent in at No. 6, behind Axar, who is primarily regarded as a bowling all-rounder.

Axar Patel again ahead of KL Rahul? I’m speechless. Does it make any sense to push a genuine batter like Rahul to no 6? When you’re 5/3, do you’ve the courage to send Axar on a tricky pitch? If not, what sense does this experiment make?Absolutely mindless this #INDvENG

— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) February 9, 2025

"Axar Patel again ahead of KL Rahul? I'm speechless. Does it make any sense to push a genuine batter like Rahul to No. 6? When you're 5/3, do you have the courage to send Axar on a tricky pitch? If not, what sense does this experiment make? Absolutely mindless this," Ganesh wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

One possible explanation behind this tactical decision is head coach Gautam Gambhir’s preference for maintaining a left-hand and right-hand combination in the middle order. However, whether this approach truly benefits the team remains debatable.

As for the match itself, Rohit Sharma returned to form in spectacular fashion, notching up his 32nd ODI century. His innings laid the foundation for India's series-winning performance, propelling the hosts to a 2-0 lead with one game remaining.

"...when people have played for a number of years and scored so many runs over the years... that means something," Rohit said in a video shared by BCCI.

"I've played this game for a long time now and I understand what is required of me. So, it's just about going out there and doing your things, and what I did today was one of my things."

"In my mind, it was just about doing things that I do, trying to bat the way I do. I've been here long enough... one or two knocks are not going to change my mind and the way I bat. But (it was) just another day in the office," the 37-year-old added.

While India’s performance in the series has been commendable, the persistent changes in batting positions raise important questions. Tactical flexibility is crucial in modern cricket, but constant experimentation with key players could lead to inconsistency.

If these adjustments ultimately help the team in high-pressure situations, they might be justified. However, if such decisions backfire in crucial games, they could be viewed as unnecessary tinkering with a settled lineup. Only time will tell whether these strategic moves pay off in the long run.

With the third and final ODI approaching, it remains to be seen whether India will continue with this approach or make further adjustments. Will the team persist with the left-hand right-hand combination, or will they opt for a more conventional batting order?

Given the series is already won, this match could serve as an opportunity for further experimentation or a chance to solidify a stable lineup ahead of future challenges.