Daijiworld Media Network - Wellington
Wellington, Nov 8: Former India cricketer Dodda Ganesh has questioned the team management's decision to promote Axar Patel to No. 5 in overseas conditions, saying the all-rounder cannot be considered a long-term option at that position in SENA countries. He also argued that the move was denying KL Rahul valuable time at the crease.
Reacting to India's batting order during the rain-affected second ODI against New Zealand in Wellington, Ganesh took to social media platform X to express his reservations about Axar's suitability for the role.
"I say it again: 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 #NZvIND," Ganesh wrote.
His remarks come amid India's continued experimentation with middle-order combinations. The team management has frequently pushed Rahul down to No. 6 to maintain a left-right batting combination, allowing Axar to bat higher up the order.
The strategy came under scrutiny during the second ODI, as India's top order struggled against New Zealand's disciplined pace attack while chasing a revised target of 135 in challenging conditions.
After India's bowlers dismissed New Zealand for 134, the visitors suffered early setbacks on a surface offering bounce and movement. Jacob Duffy dismissed captain Shubman Gill for a first-ball duck and Virat Kohli for seven, while Rohit Sharma scored 23 off 28 deliveries.
Promoted to No. 5, Axar managed only seven runs before falling while attempting a ramp shot. Shreyas Iyer scored 30 off 46 balls but failed to convert his start, leaving India struggling at 47/4.
Rahul, however, provided the much-needed stability. After initially negotiating the difficult conditions cautiously, he shifted gears with a couple of pull shots, including a six. He remained unbeaten on 26 as India reached 113/7 in 26 overs when rain interrupted play.
India were four runs ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) par score at that stage and secured a four-wicket victory, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
The bowlers had laid the foundation for the win, with Gurnoor Brar returning career-best figures of 4/30. Auqib Nabi claimed 2/31, while Anshul Kamboj picked up 2/25. New Zealand were bowled out for 134 in 41 overs, with Daryl Mitchell top-scoring with 55.
Ganesh's criticism has renewed the debate over India's middle-order combination and whether Rahul should be given a higher batting position rather than being moved down to accommodate the left-right combination.