Ex-India cricketer Dodda Ganesh questions the team’s decision-making despite their 2-0 lead against England.
February 10, 2025: Team India secured a comfortable win in the second ODI against England in Cuttack, chasing down a target of 305 with skipper Rohit Sharma leading the charge with a stellar century. However, the team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Rohit Sharma, faced criticism for their strategic decisions.
Dodda Ganesh Questions KL Rahul’s Role
Former cricketer Dodda Ganesh took to social media to criticize the batting order, particularly KL Rahul’s placement at No. 6. Rahul, traditionally a top-order batter, has been shuffled lower down the order to accommodate the team’s strategy.
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“Axar Patel again ahead of KL Rahul? I’m speechless. Does it make any sense to push a genuine batter like Rahul to No. 6? When you’re 5/3, do you have the courage to send Axar on a tricky pitch? If not, what sense does this experiment make? Absolutely mindless,” Ganesh wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
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Axar Patel again ahead of KL Rahul? I’m speechless. Does it make any sense to push a genuine batter like Rahul to no 6? When you’re 5/3, do you’ve the courage to send Axar on a tricky pitch? If not, what sense does this experiment make?Absolutely mindless this #INDvENG
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) February 9, 2025
This isn’t the first time KL Rahul’s role has been scrutinized, as the wicket-keeper batter has been used flexibly to strike a left-hand right-hand combination in the middle order.
Rohit Sharma Shines Amid Controversy
Amid the debate, Rohit Sharma delivered a spectacular performance, smashing his 32nd ODI century. His return to form was crucial in India’s dominant series performance, securing a 2-0 lead with one game remaining.
Speaking about his innings, Rohit said, “I’ve played this game for a long time now, and I understand what is required of me. It’s just about going out there and doing my thing. Today was one of those days.”
While the win bolstered India’s confidence ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, questions surrounding their tactical decisions remain a talking point.
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India vs England ODI series, KL Rahul batting order, Gautam Gambhir strategy, Rohit Sharma century, Axar Patel criticism, Dodda Ganesh comments, Team India tactics, cricket controversies.