BCCI selector orders KL Rahul to take Shreyas Iyer’s spot in India ODI XI

Former Team India captain Kris Srikkanth criticized the team management following India’s loss to Australia in the first ODI of the ongoing series. Srikkanth was not happy with the decision to promote all-rounder Axar Patel above wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul in the batting order, calling it “absolute rubbish.”

Team India suffered a seven-wicket defeat against Australia at Perth’s Optus Stadium. The visiting team needs to reassess their batting order and strategies ahead of the second ODI. They will take on Australia in the do-or-die clash at Adelaide Oval on October 23, hoping to stay in contention for the series.

KL Rahul Should Play Ahead of Shreyas Iyer - Kris Srikkanth

After being sent in to bat under overcast conditions, India managed only 136/9 in a rain-curtailed 26-over contest. KL Rahul, coming in at number six, offered some resistance, scoring 38 runs off 31 balls, including two fours and two sixes.

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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Kris Srikkanth criticized the team management for promoting Axar Patel above KL Rahul in the batting order. Srikkanth called the move “absolute rubbish,” adding that Rahul should have been given priority over Shreyas Iyer.

"I told before only that KL Rahul should play ahead of Shreyas Iyer. It was an absurd decision by the team and management. You are leaving him and looking somewhere else. If he scores he scores a lot. Axar Patel going higher than KL is absolute rubbish," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

I Would Even Have Sent KL Rahul at Four - Kris Srikkanth

The Men in Blue promoted Axar Patel to number five. The left-handed batter scored 31 runs. Srikkanth stated that KL Rahul should have faced more deliveries and added that Rahul should bat at number four to make the most of his talent.

"The point is not whether Axar played well or not. You have one of the best and classy player in your XI. KL should have come at five. If I was the captain I would even have sent him at four in fact. The conditions in the subcontinent are different than in Australia. He should be playing the maximum number of balls," Srikkanth continued.

Probably Things Could Have Favored India - Kris Srikkanth

Kris Srikkanth also pointed out a flaw in the batting order that hurt the team. Washington Sundar was sent ahead of Nitish Kumar Reddy, managing only 10 runs off as many balls. Nitish scored an unbeaten 19 runs from 11 deliveries, including two sixes, at a strike rate of 172.73.

Srikkanth stated that if India had pushed their total closer to 160 without further wickets, the DLS target could have been more favorable. He further added that Nitish should have batted ahead of Sundar instead of prioritizing the left-right batting combination.

"By any chance had they gone up to 160 and did not lose more wickets, the DLS score would be more and probably things could have favored India," Srikkanth opined.

"If we talk neutrally rain actually saved them. Another mistake they made was by not sending Nitish after KL and Axar got out. You took him as a big hitter in the team then put him in front. Do not go behind the left-right combination," he added.

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