Despite India’s unassailable 2-0 lead in the ongoing ODI series against England, former cricketer Aakash Chopra has highlighted an underlying concern with regards to the batting order.
For the second time in the series, spin all-rounder Axar Patel was sent ahead of wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, who has often seen his batting position being shuffled on the basis of the team's needs.
Chopra urged the Indian team management to take a call on Rahul with India having one match remaining before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Batting at No. 6, Rahul has registered scores of 2 and 10. Since the World Cup 2023, the Karnataka star has scored just 120 runs in six innings, including one half-century.
“There is still one development that is taking place, but it is yet to be seen if the Indian team can find an answer to that. KL Rahul is batting at no. 6. But is he the best option at No. 6 or 7? That's a big question. Ahead of him you send a leftie, and now Rahul hasn't scored runs in both these games and in the two matches he played in Sri Lanka. What do you do now?” Chopra said while speaking on his YouTube channel.
Aakash Chopra also emphasized that India's tactic to favour a left-hander at No. 5 has forced Hardik Pandya to bat at No. 7.
Calling it a poor strategy, the former India batter asked the team management to reconsider the combination, even if it meant bringing the left-handed Rishabh Pant in place of KL Rahul.
“Amid all these, if he bats at No. 6, Hardik bats at No. 7 and Jadeja at 8. I can still consider Jadeja at no. 8, but Hardik at 7? That is not what you want. He is batting at least two positions too low. I don't feel it's a good strategy. Is it time for Rishabh Pant to play already? He could be a better option at No. 6, because you already need a leftie. India are still looking for the right combination, and time is running out,” he added.
India will face England in the third ODI in Ahmedabad on Wednesday (February 12). The Men in Blue will open their Champions Trophy campaign on February 20 against Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
