Sunil Gavaskar Defends Axar Patel's Promotion In ODI
· Sports · Times of India, Indian Express
Sunil Gavaskar has defended the decision by team management to promote Axar Patel to No. 5 during the second ODI against New Zealand in Wellington. Despite Axar scoring only seven runs, Gavaskar argued the move was a sound tactical attempt to disrupt the opposition's bowling plans with a left-handed batter. India, chasing a target of 135, struggled early after losing three top-order wickets. Gavaskar noted that such experiments are part of the game and should not be judged solely on the outcome. KL Rahul eventually anchored the chase alongside Shreyas Iyer following the early collapse.
Why it matters
The tactical decision highlights the team management's ongoing experimentation with batting lineups to counter specific bowling attacks in international cricket.
Read the original report — Times of India
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