India’s T20I campaign under new head coach Gautam Gambhir has been full of surprises — and not all of them pleasant. One of the most talked-about decisions came during the India vs Australia T20I at the MCG on October 31, when Harshit Rana not only played ahead of India’s leading T20I wicket-taker Arshdeep Singh but was also promoted up the batting order above Shivam Dube.
Coming in at 49/5, Rana put on a steady fifty-run stand with Abhishek Sharma, scoring 35 off 33 balls. However, the innings failed to inject momentum into India’s total, as they were bowled out for just 125 runs. Australia comfortably chased down the target, winning by four wickets.
Ramesh Questions India’s Approach to Player Roles
Former India opener Sadagopan Ramesh voiced his frustration over the team’s ongoing experimentation. Speaking in a video on his Instagram profile, Ramesh criticized the management for confusing players’ primary and secondary roles.
“Someone who cooks well cannot be made a driver, and a good driver cannot become a cook,” Ramesh said. “Likewise, management should focus on each player’s strengths and primary role in the team. If they do something extra, that’s great — but their secondary skill shouldn’t become the main one.”
He added that India’s management seems to be blurring the lines between batters and bowlers.
“A bowler who can bat needs to deliver with the ball first, and a batter who bowls must focus on his batting. The team needs clarity, and that’s where India is slipping right now.”
“Stop Playing Musical Chairs,” Ramesh Warns
Ramesh also called out the frequent shuffling of India’s batting order, which he believes is unsettling the players.
“India needs to stop playing musical chairs with their batting order,” he said. “They could have won if they scored 160–170. Suryakumar Yadav played well at No. 3 in the last match and was unbeaten, yet he was moved again.”
He pointed out the inconsistency in player positions — Sanju Samson moving from opening to No. 5 and then to No. 3, and Tilak Varma, who starred at No. 4 in the Asia Cup final, being pushed to No. 5.
“Because of this, everyone is confused about who will go in next,” Ramesh remarked.
As India trail in the five-match T20I series against Australia, they will aim to bounce back and level the contest when the next match takes place in Hobart on November 2 (Sunday).
