New Delhi: Former India cricketer Sadagoppan Ramesh has strongly criticised the team management for frequent experiments with the batting order during the second T20I against Australia, which India lost by four wickets after being bowled out for just 125.
Ramesh expressed his frustration over skipper Suryakumar Yadav’s decision to drop himself to No. 4, allowing Sanju Samson to bat at No. 3 despite Yadav’s unbeaten performance in the previous match at that same position. Tilak Varma was pushed down to No. 5, while pacer Harshit Rana was surprisingly sent in ahead of all-rounder Shivam Dube.
Calling it a game of “musical chairs,” Ramesh said such inconsistency unsettles the batting unit and prevents players from building rhythm or clarity in their roles. “If India had stuck to a stable order and posted 160 or 170, they could have won. Suryakumar played well at No. 3 last time then why change? Sanju Samson has batted everywhere from opener to No. 5. It’s confusing for everyone to know who’s next,” he noted.
Ramesh also questioned the decision to send Harshit Rana ahead of Dube, pointing out that players should be utilised based on their primary strengths. He used an analogy to emphasise his point, saying that a good cook cannot be made a driver, and vice versa, suggesting that clarity of roles is essential for success.
He added that India’s management must prioritise players’ main skills bowlers should focus on bowling and batters on scoring runs rather than overemphasising secondary abilities. “The team is slipping because roles are being blurred. Every player should first deliver in their main discipline; any extra contribution is a bonus,” Ramesh said, urging the side to restore balance and stability before the next match.
