India head coach Gautam Gambhir reaffirmed the team’s commitment to a flexible batting order to maintain a right-left combination in the middle overs after their ODI series victory over England. Despite India’s dominant 3-0 win, the decision to promote Axar Patel ahead of KL Rahul in the first two matches sparked debate among experts and fans.
While Axar contributed scores of 52 and 41, many felt Rahul was unfairly pushed down the order. However, in the final ODI, Rahul returned to his usual No. 5 spot and scored a quick 40 off 29 balls. Speaking at the post-series press conference, Gambhir addressed the issue, (as reported by Cricbuzz):
“That’s the way cricket is meant to be played. I know a lot of people talk about it, but that’s the way we’ve got to play the game and that’s the way cricket should be played. It’s not about the batting order.”
”It’s about who can create what impact. And it’s about… if you have the option of putting a quality left-hander in the middle, why won’t you do that? Why would you want to have the top five as right-handers?”
He further added:
“We don’t look at averages and stats and all that stuff. We look at who can deliver more at that number. And Axar has done fabulously well. Both the games (against England) he got the opportunity, he delivered for us. I know there will always be people talking about it. But I think that’s the way we want to go in the future as well.”
“KL is the first-choice wicketkeeper”- Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir confirmed that KL Rahul is India’s first-choice wicketkeeper over Rishabh Pant in ODIs as they prepare for the Champions Trophy 2025. Even though Rahul hasn’t scored a half-century in his last six ODIs, he was picked ahead of Pant in all three matches against England.
“See, ultimately, it’s very difficult to talk about individuals. But all I can say is that if he [Rishabh Pant] is part of the squad, if the time comes, he might get an opportunity. But at the moment, obviously, KL is the number one wicket-keeper and he’s delivered for us,” Gambhir said in the same press conference.
He further added:
“And see, when you’ve got two wicket-keepers in the squad, you can’t play both, with the kind of quality we’ve got. Hopefully, whenever he gets an opportunity, he should be ready for it. That’s all I can say. At the moment, yes, KL is the one who’s going to start.”
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