India cricket team assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate explained the rationale behind the bizarre decision to promote Axar Patel to number 3 in the IND vs SA 2nd T20I. Instead of sending captain Suryakumar Yadav or Tilak Varma, the southpaw was promoted up the order and the experiment backfired. Eventually, India lost the game by 51 runs, allowing South Africa to level the series 1-1.
Reason behind number 3 experiement revealed
Speaking at the post-match press conference, ten Doeschate explained that India had found themselves three down for 35 runs multiple times over the last few months and hence wanted to explore extending the batting. He said that the experiment was aimed at finding a player who acts as a link between the openers and players who can go berserk in the later part of the innings. Interestingly, India are still keeping their batting order flexible instead of zeroing in on a combination despite just 8 games to go for the T20 World Cup 2026.
“We are trying things combination wise. We have eight to nine games before the T20 World Cup and we have found ourselves 3 down at 35 runs over the last couple of months more than we would have liked. So we are just exploring to extend our batting, the link between the openers and the guys who we want t come out and smash around when things get easier,” the India assistant coach said.
The experiment to play Axar at number three failed miserably as the batter managed to score 21 runs from as many balls, making things tough for In the run-chase. He managed to strike just one four and six each before he was sent packing by Baartman.
Meanwhile, ten Doeschate also stated that the team has absolute faith in captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill despite their poor form.
“I can understand from the outside it looks like a concern, but I have got absolute faith in both of them coming good at the right time for us,” ten Doeschate added.
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