KL Rahul with Axar Patel in Indian colours | PC- AFP
Chasing a paltry 135 in Wellington conditions, Team India lost their first three wickets inside the powerplay. The team management continued with their strategy of batting Axar Patel ahead of KL Rahul. Alas, it didn't fare well for the Men in Blue.
The opening new-ball pair, especially Jacob Duffy, didn't let the Indian top order dictate the chase. As a result, all-rounder Axar Patel walked out to the middle in the ninth over, but he could help the team cause in the chase.
Dodda Ganesh mocks Axar Patel's promotion; bats for KL Rahul
While criticising the Indian team management's strategy, former Indian opener and Karnataka great Dodda Ganesh said Axar Patel can't bat at number 5 in SENA countries.
He added that Axar can play cameos well, but he's not a long-term solution. Furthermore, the legendary Karnataka great batted for KL Rahul's promotion instead.
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"Axar Patel can’t be your no 5 in SENA countries. He could play a cameo here and there but he’s definitely not a long term solution. You are denying KL Rahul the game time," Dodda Ganesh tweeted.
India's No 5 conundrum: Axar Shines, But Rahul Has Been A Beast
Axar Patel has batted 13 times at number 5 in ODI cricket, with a fair share of success, scoring 365 runs at 30.41 with a strike rate of 87.11. Notably, 11 of his outings at the position have come during the Gautam Gambhir era.
Meanwhile, KL Rahul has been a beast for Team India at the given position, scoring 1646 runs at 68.58, including four centuries and 10 fifties. However, he has batted just six times at number 5 since Gambhir took charge.
KLR is half the batter, with 371 runs in 17 innings at an average of 37.10.
Nevertheless, Team India are making the mockery of themselves in the chase, as they have lost their seventh wicket with just 111 runs on the board. That said, Rahul is still in the middle, with the team needing 24 runs to win.
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