India's victory in the 3rd T20I against Australia has sparked debate about the composition of their batting order, with former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie questioning Axar Patel's position in the lineup. Despite India chasing down a target of 187 with 9 balls to spare to level the series 1-1, Gillespie believes that Washington Sundar should be batting higher up the order than Axar Patel.
Sundar's impressive, unbeaten 49 off 23 balls in the 3rd T20I, which included three consecutive boundaries, played a crucial role in India's victory. He came in to bat at No. 6 after Axar Patel's dismissal. Axar, who has been a regular in India's T20I side, scored 17 off 12 balls at No. 5. Gillespie, speaking on the Fast Bowling Cartel YouTube channel, suggested that Axar Patel is "one or two spots too high" in the batting order. While acknowledging Axar's talent, Gillespie stated that the all-rounder is "probably more suited to subcontinent conditions".
Gillespie's comments highlight the ongoing discussion surrounding India's batting lineup and the roles of their all-rounders. Former cricketers and experts have previously criticized India's frequent batting order changes, pointing out that it can disrupt the team's rhythm. Some have also questioned the logic behind promoting certain players up the order or not having fixed batting positions.
The concern about India's batting order isn't new. Ahead of the series, the team management's "obsession with batting depth" was already a talking point. The batting failures in the second T20I, where India were bowled out for a paltry 125, raised questions about the strategy of prioritizing batting depth. There's a thought that stacking the team with too many batters might lead to a "cavalier" approach, especially on tracks that demand more discretion.
Other experts have also weighed in on the issue of batting positions. Former India opener Sadagoppan Ramesh criticized the team's batting order changes in the second T20I against Australia, specifically questioning the decision to promote Harshit Rana ahead of Shivam Dube. Irfan Pathan has warned against becoming too "elastic" with batting positions, emphasizing the importance of having defined roles.
Despite the debate, Axar Patel has been a valuable asset to the Indian team. He is a left-handed batter and slow left-arm orthodox bowler. Axar has played in 71 T20Is, scoring 535 runs and taking 71 wickets. However, his recent performances have come under scrutiny, particularly his batting in non-subcontinental conditions.
While Axar Patel's place in the batting order is being debated, Washington Sundar's impressive performance in the 3rd T20I has made a strong case for him to bat higher up the order. Former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath praised Sundar's attitude and his ability to back himself when he gets an opportunity.
The Indian team management will need to carefully consider the batting order for the remaining T20Is against Australia. Balancing the need for batting depth with the importance of having players in their optimal positions will be crucial for India's success.
