India wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul has endured a tough time in the ongoing ODI series against England, managing just 2 and 10 in his two innings. His struggles, particularly against England’s premier leg-spinner Adil Rashid, have raised concerns, as Rahul has looked uncomfortable and out of rhythm. A major factor contributing to his dip in form has been his demotion to No. 6 in the batting order, a move that has sparked debate within the cricketing fraternity. A former national selector, speaking on the condition of anonymity, has lashed out at head coach Gautam Gambhir for disrupting Rahul’s settled position in the lineup and potentially hampering his effectiveness.
Rahul had established himself as a reliable No. 5 batter for India, especially during the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he played multiple crucial knocks, accumulating 452 runs in 11 matches at an incredible average of 75.33. His overall record at No. 5 in ODIs is outstanding—1259 runs at an average close to 60, with a strike rate of 95.45. However, with Gambhir at the helm, the team’s batting order has undergone a strategic reshuffle, with all-rounders being promoted ahead of Rahul. Against Sri Lanka, Washington Sundar was given a higher batting slot, and in the England series, Axar Patel has been entrusted with the role of a middle-order aggressor.
A frustrated former selector questioned the logic behind this experiment. “KL Rahul has been phenomenal at No. 5 for India. His numbers are exceptional, and he has delivered consistently in high-pressure situations. Why would you tinker with a setup that was working so well? Sometimes, in an attempt to be innovative, we end up making things unnecessarily complicated,” he told PTI.
While the move has affected Rahul’s personal performance, it has yielded positive results for the Indian team as a whole. Axar Patel has seized his opportunities with the bat, playing a couple of crucial knocks that helped India secure the series against England. This presents a dilemma: should individual performances be prioritized over team balance, or is the team’s overall success a valid justification for reshuffling proven performers?
Beyond Rahul’s predicament, another burning question is the future of Rishabh Pant in India’s ODI setup. Despite being part of the squad, Pant has not been given a consistent run in the playing XI. A former Indian cricketer, who has previously worked with Gambhir, believes that the head coach values players with multiple skill sets, which is why Axar is getting more opportunities. “Gambhir has always backed multi-skilled players. In these conditions, where spin can be a key weapon, Axar’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him a natural choice. Unfortunately, that means Pant is struggling to find a place in the XI. But it’s not just Pant—this shift in strategy is also making things difficult for Rahul, who isn’t naturally suited for the No. 6 role,” he explained.
With the third and final ODI of the series set to be played in Ahmedabad, there is growing speculation that Pant might finally be given a chance in the playing XI, especially since India has already clinched the series. If he does play, it will be an opportunity for him to prove his worth and make a case for a permanent spot in the side. At the same time, all eyes will be on Gambhir’s decision regarding Rahul—will he persist with the current experiment, or will he revert to the more successful formula that saw Rahul thrive at No. 5?
As India continues to fine-tune its squad ahead of future tournaments, these tactical decisions will play a crucial role in shaping the team’s long-term success. While Gambhir’s approach is aimed at adding depth and flexibility to the batting order, it remains to be seen whether Rahul can adapt to his new role or if the management will rethink their strategy to get the best out of one of India’s most dependable middle-order batters.
