Gautam Gambhir torn apart for 'mindless experiment' with KL Rahul ahead of ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Former Indian cricketer Dodda Ganesh has lashed out at the head coach Gautam Gambhir for demoting KL Rahul in the batting and doing experiments weeks before the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Ganesh called Gautam Gambhir a “mindless” coach.

The India National Cricket Team recorded back-to-back four-wicket victories in both Nagpur and Cuttack to clinch the three-match ODI series against England at home. The third and final ODI is scheduled at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 12.

Dodda Ganesh slams Gautam Gambhir for ‘Mindless Experiment’ with KL Rahul

However, the spotlight wasn’t just on the Men in Blue’s ODI series win, but also on a bold decision by Gautam Gambhir to send Axar Patel ahead of KL Rahul at No. 5. This move raised many eyebrows, with Dodda Ganesh blasting the decision to send Axar Patel ahead of KL Rahul in the ongoing ODI series against England, calling it a "mindless experiment."

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Ganesh questioned the logic behind pushing a proven batter like KL Rahul to No. 6, especially with the pressure of a potential collapse against England. The cricket expert further fired back at Gambhir and the captain, Rohit Sharma, by asking if they would have made the same decision had India found themselves in trouble with just five runs on the board.

I’m speechless: Dodda Ganesh on KL Rahul's demotion

Dodda Ganesh posted on X: “Axar Patel again ahead of KL Rahul? I’m speechless. Does it make any sense to push a genuine batter like Rahul to no. 6? When you’re 5/3, do you have the courage to send Axar on a tricky pitch? If not, what sense does this experiment make? Absolutely mindless, this.”

Axar Patel again ahead of KL Rahul? I’m speechless. Does it make any sense to push a genuine batter like Rahul to no 6? When you’re 5/3, do you’ve the courage to send Axar on a tricky pitch? If not, what sense does this experiment make?Absolutely mindless this #INDvENG

— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) February 9, 2025

Even during the first ODI against England, the former Indian cricketer had questioned the logic behind demoting KL Rahul, who has been stellar at No. 5 in the ODIs. Ganesh slammed the move as "absolutely ridiculous," questioning the purpose behind sending Axar Patel ahead of Rahul.

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Dodda Ganesh posted on X during the Nagpur ODI: “KL Rahul has been best at no. 5, but the wise men in the dressing room find different ways to demote him in this batting lineup. Absolutely ridiculous. What are you going to achieve by sending Axar at no. 5?”

KL Rahul has been best at no 5; but the wisemen in the dressing room find different ways to demote him in this batting lineup. Absolutely ridiculous. What are you going to achieve by sending Axar at no 5? #INDvENG

— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) February 6, 2025

Axar Patel shines with the bat after his promotion in the batting order against England

However, the move worked out for Axar Patel, who scored 52 runs in Nagpur and an unbeaten 41 in Cuttack, while also taking a wicket in both games. On the other hand, this decision worked against KL Rahul, as the right-handed batter could only manage 12 runs in two innings.

Rahul has only batted at No. 6 twice before, scoring a total of 54 runs at an average of 18 in the ODI cricket. Now, it will be interesting to see whether Rishabh Pant gets the opportunity in the third and final ODI, having been warming the bench in the first two ODIs, or the Men in Blue would continue to demote the Karnataka star in the batting order despite the good track record.

Notably, Axar, Rishabh, and Rahul have all been named in India’s squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025, so all eyes will be on the team’s selection strategy.