Former India captain Kris Srikkanth criticized the team management for sending Harshit Rana ahead of Shivam Dube in the batting order during the second T20I against Australia in Melbourne. After being put in to bat, India suffered a dramatic collapse, slipping to 49/5 by the eighth over.
In a surprising decision, pace-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana was promoted to No. 7 while Abhishek Sharma held firm at the other end. Although Rana made a useful 35 off 33 balls, the move pushed the more experienced Shivam Dube down to No. 8. Notably, Rana faced 33 of the 47 deliveries during his stand with Abhishek.
Discussing the decision on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth remarked:
“You are demoralising the Dube’s ability. And is Harshit Rana such a big player? He scored 35 but it was a scratchy knock. Only that one six was good other than a square cut. At 35 off 33, he ate up too many deliveries. The problem is Abhishek Sharma missed out on the strike a lot because of Harshit Rana. So many times he took a single off the last ball of the over. In that partnership of 47 deliveries, Harshit Rana played 33 and only 14 for Abhishek Sharma.”
He further added:
“Because of this, Abhishek Sharma did not get the strike and lost his flow also. So what’s the use? People can say he scored 35 and it was invaluable. It was not an invaluable 35. He was just there and hit that one six. He was just surviving and escaping otherwise. Ultimately it’s the captain’s call. Gambhir can only suggest. So not sure whose decision this was but it was a very odd decision.”
“You’re Breaking The Player’s Confidence” – Kris Srikkanth
Kris Srikkanth said dropping Shivam Dube to No. 8 would hurt his confidence. Dube, who played a vital 33 off 22 in the Asia Cup 2025 final at No. 6, faced just two balls for four runs after coming in late during the Melbourne T20I.
“It is unclear whether Dube is playing as a batter, bowler or fielder. In the end, they’ve made him like a nobody with this move. It’s not right because you are demoralizing the player’s confidence. It’s not good for Dube and the Indian Cricket team. It looked like the Indian management thought Dube was the Impact Player in the IPL,” said Srikkanth (via the aforementioned source).
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