ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Ex-BCCI selector warns Gautam Gambhir of India's inconsistent middle order

India have shown excellent form in the ODIs leading to the Champions Trophy 2025. However, there are still some gaps to fill as the Men in Blue head into the tournament. Head coach Gautam Gambhir is aware of those problems as he tried a few combinations in the series against England.

Former national selector Devang Gandhi lauded Gautam Gambhir for making India a dominating team in ODIs despite being in transition. However, Gandhi also warned Gambhir about the inconsistent middle order.

Recently, India have preferred to play Axar Patel at No. 5 to accomodate a left-hander in a batting order full of right-handers. Gandhi spoke on this decision and called the team management led by Gautam Gambhir to give a long run to Axar.

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Devang Gandhi warns Gautam Gambhir of India's inconsistent middle order

During a conversation with TOI, Devang Gandhi praised Gautam Gambhir for carrying a team in transition but also warned him of the inconsistent middle order. He also gave an example during 2016-2019 when India were playing brilliantly but the fragile middle order cost them many important games.

"(Gautam) Gambhir must be given due credit for working with a team in transition. He has got India dominating in the ODI format, much like India were doing from 2016-2019. What the selectors and Gambhir need to be careful about is consistency in the middle order," Gandhi said.

"The batting then was largely driven by the top three - Rohit (Sharma), Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli. What happened then was nobody else got time to settle down from No. 4 onwards. The rest of the batting wasn't sure of the role they had to play. When the top order collapsed in those big matches, the rest of the batting looked clueless. Hopefully, it isn't the case this time," he recalled.

Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, and Virat Kohli formed the top three of India's batting line-up during that period and won a no. of games for their team. However, their failures cost many games as India lost many key matches just like the ODI World Cup semi-final 2019.

Axar Patel should be given a long run - Devang Gandhi to Gautam Gambhir

Devang Gandhi also suggested the selectors to persist with Axar Patel at No. 5 since an opportunity has already been given to him. Gandhi feels that it is up to the selectors to decide whether they want to give Axar a long haul at this batting spot.

"If they have identified Axar (Patel) as a No. 5 batter then they must look to give him a run at that number. Axar has done well but the management has to decide if he is going to be a long-term option who can rebuild and dominate an innings till the 2027 World Cup in South Africa," he argued.

Axar Patel batted at No. 5 in the series against England to accomodate the left-right combination in the middle. India have a no. of right-handers in their batting order and the promotion of Axar helps them to have a left-hander.

Axar Patel in England ODIs

Axar responded well to his batting promotion and struck a crucial half-century in the first ODI and then an unbeaten 41 in the second match. While it gave India the left-right batting combination, it pushed KL Rahul to the No. 6 spot in the batting order.

The allrounder is likely to keep his batting spot in the upcoming Champions Trophy. It will be up to Gautam Gambhir and his coaching staff to decided if they want to persist with him further or not.