With all due respect, I disagree..: Robin Uthappa launches scathing attack on Gautam Gambhir after India's loss in 2nd T20I

India's batting order raised a number of eyebrows as the experiment backfired in the second T20I against South Africa on Thursday (December 11). Continuing their constant reshuffling of the batting order, the Indian team-management decided to change even captain Suryakumar Yadav's position.

While the right-handed batsman usually bats at number three, he was sent out at number four when the team was chasing a huge total of 214 runs. Axar Patel was sent out to bat at number three but the move did not pay off as India suffered a crushing 51-run loss in the match.

Also Read: He Hates Hardik: Stunned Fans Slam Irfan Pathan After He Targets Hardik Pandya For India's Loss In 2nd T20I

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Batting first, South Africa posted a big total of 213/4 in 20 overs. Quinton de Kock was the pick of the South African batters, scoring 90 runs off just 46 balls. In reply, India were bowled out for just 162 runs. Tilak Varma (62) was the only Indian batter who showed some fight but his efforts were not enough to take the team over the line.

Robin Uthappa slams Gautam Gambhir:

After the match, former India batsman Robin Uthappa did not mince his words as he slammed the Indian team-management for constantly changing the batting order. Former South Africa pacer Dale Steyn echoed the same sentiments as he and Robin Uthappa warned the Men in Blue against such late-stage experimentation ahead of the T20 World Cup.

"Well, honestly, that’s not how I see it. I’m only going by his words. In the pre-series press conference, he said the opening pair is set, but everyone else are moving pieces who must be flexible. With all due respect, I disagree. When you’re chasing a big score, your solid batters — your best batters — should walk in," Robin Uthappa said on JioHotstar.

"If you send a pinch-hitter, then he must play like one. If Axar was sent as a pinch-hitter today, he shouldn’t have scored 21 off 21; he should’ve gone hard and gotten out trying. But even that plan doesn’t convince me. After losing a top batter in the first or second over, you need stability at the crease. Something feels off here, and India must fix it before it becomes a habit," he said.

Dale Steyn on India's batting order:

On the other hand, Steyn said that the Indian team-management had 'thrown Axar to the wolves' by promoting him to number three when the team was chasing a huge target.

"He’s supposed to be your best batter. That’s not a trial-and-error situation — that’s just a major mistake in my opinion. And yes, Axar can bat, but sending him there felt like throwing him to the wolves. What was the role? If he walked in to slog from ball one, fine. Or if Abhishek had gotten out first and you wanted to maintain a left-right combination, that also makes sense.

"But it was a right-hander who got out, and you ended up with two left-handers at the top. A lot of question marks there. Perhaps there’s experimentation happening, similar to what's happening in South Africa. But tonight, in a match where you could’ve gone 2–1 up, I’d have sent your best batters and kept things simple," said Steyn.

Robin Uthappa's message for Gautam Gambhir:

As Gautam Gambhir continues his experimentation with the batting order, Robin Uthappa sent out a timely message for his former India and IPL teammate. The former cricketer-turned-commentator stated that the top three in the batting order must be fixed. He also pointed out that the team should not be changing the batting order in the first six overs.

"Your top three must be fixed, whether you’re setting a total or chasing one. These are specialist roles. Flexibility has its place, but that comes after the first six overs, once you’ve built a foundation. You can’t build that foundation when players don’t know their roles on a given day.

"Using a pinch-hitter is fine only in the right scenario — for example, if Abhishek gets out early and you maintain the left-right combination while still sending your best batter. Had he come in at one-drop, he would’ve gotten around 60 balls; instead, he walked in at No. 4. This constant experimentation has been going on for a while, and I worry it will hurt India at a crucial stage of a major tournament. You don’t want that happening at a World Cup," he said.