Post by : Meena Ariff

In a surprising move, India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav was sent in at No.4 instead of his usual No.3 position, a decision that proved detrimental as the team faced a 51-run loss to South Africa in New Chandigarh. Cricket legends Dale Steyn and Robin Uthappa voiced their discontent, warning head coach Gautam Gambhir about making risky decisions so close to the T20 World Cup.

With India needing to chase down a challenging target of 214, the early dismissal of vice-captain Shubman Gill for a golden duck set a tense tone. Axar Patel was unexpectedly promoted to bat at No.3, contributing only 21 runs from 21 balls before Suryakumar arrived at No.4, managing just 5 runs off 4 balls amidst mounting pressure.

Uthappa, speaking on JioHotstar, criticized the team’s batting order flexibility, stressing the necessity for a solid top three. “The top three should be consistent, whether setting or chasing a total. Flexibility has its place, but stability is key at the outset to establish a strong foundation,” he remarked.

Steyn echoed Uthappa’s sentiments, stating, “Axar was unfairly put in a tough spot. The best batsmen should step up in critical situations, not be subjected to experiments. This unnecessary complexity cost India dearly today.”

Both cricket icons underscored that constant alterations in the batting order could lead to confusion regarding roles, which may be detrimental as India approaches high-pressure tournaments. They urged Gambhir to solidify the top three to ensure stability as the T20 World Cup nears.

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