‘Stop playing musical chairs…’: Former Indian cricketer slams Indian team management

Former Indian cricketer Sadagoppan Ramesh criticized the team management for frequently changing the batting order during the second T20I against Australia. In that match, skipper Suryakumar Yadav chose to bat at No. 4, promoting Sanju Samson to No. 3. Surprisingly, Harshit Rana was sent to bat ahead of Shivam Dube, while Tilak Varma came in at No. 5.

The constant shuffling disrupted India’s rhythm, as the team was bowled out for just 125 runs and eventually lost the match by four wickets. Ramesh urged the management to stop “playing musical chairs” with the batting lineup, warning that such constant changes only create confusion among the players.

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“India needs to stop playing musical chairs with their batting order. They would have had a great chance of winning if they had scored 160 to 170. Didn’t Suryakumar Yadav play well at No. 3 in the last match? He was not out as well. Then why send Sanju Samson at No. 3,” Ramesh said on Instagram.

“He went from opening to No. 5 and now from 5 to 3. Because of this everyone is looking at each other in confusion on who might go in to bat next. Tilak Varma won India the Asia Cup final at No. 4 and you moved him to No. 5.“

“Someone who cooks well can’t be made a driver and a good driver can’t become the cook. Likewise, the management should focus on each player’s strength and main role in the team and aim to get the best out of them in that role. If they do something extra, that’s well and good,” he said.

“But their secondary skill should not become the primary role and I fear that’s happening in this Indian team. A bowler who can bat needs to deliver with the ball first and likewise a batter who can bat must deliver with the ball first. The management needs to be clear on this. That’s where India are slipping right now,” he added.