Following India’s heavy 51-run defeat to South Africa in the second T20I, former cricketers Dale Steyn and Robin Uthappa sharply criticized Head Coach Gautam Gambhir for the decision to push captain Suryakumar Yadav down to No. 4, instead of his preferred No. 3 spot. The cricket veterans warned against such “late-stage experimentation” potentially jeopardizing India’s chances at the upcoming T20 World Cup.
The controversial decision came after India lost vice-captain Shubman Gill for a golden duck in the first over while chasing 214. Instead of sending Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel was promoted to No. 3. The move failed, with Axar scoring a run-a-ball 21, and Suryakumar, who followed at No. 4, was dismissed cheaply for 5 runs off 4 balls.
Uthappa: Disagrees with ‘Flexible’ Mindset
Robin Uthappa expressed his fury, strongly disagreeing with Suryakumar’s pre-series statement that India had no fixed batting positions aside from the openers.
- Urgency for Stability: Uthappa argued, “When you’re chasing a big score, your solid batters — your best batters — should walk in.”
- Failed Pinch-Hitter Plan: He criticized Axar Patel’s slow 21 off 21, saying, “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.”
- Fix Instability: The former T20 World Cup winner urged India to fix the instability quickly, warning, “Something feels off here, and India must fix it before it becomes a habit.”
Steyn: “Thrown Axar to the Wolves”
South African great Dale Steyn echoed the concern, calling the move a “major mistake” and arguing that the team overcomplicated a simple situation:
- Mistake in Crunch Situation: Steyn stated, “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.”
- Tactical Question Marks: He pointed out the flawed logic, noting that a right-hander (Gill) got out, yet the team ended up with two left-handers (Axar and Abhishek) at the top.
- Keep it Simple: Steyn concluded that in a crucial match, the team should have “sent your best batters and kept things simple.”
The criticism highlights growing concerns about India’s tactical approach and team stability just months before the major tournament.