‘India Needs To Stop Playing Musical Chairs’: Harshit Rana’s Promotion Attracts More Flak | Cricket News

Harshit Rana scored a 33-ball 35 (AP)

Former India opener Sadagoppan Ramesh has said that someone who cooks well cannot be made a driver, pointing to Harshit Rana being promoted ahead of Shivam Dube in the batting order in the second T20I against Australia, adding that India need to stop playing musical chairs with their batting positions.

Fans and experts alike were stunned when Rana walked out after Axar Patel’s dismissal, with the decision to send him ahead of Shivam Dube sparking widespread debate.

Delhi-born Rana rose to the occasion for India, stitching a crucial sixth-wicket stand with Abhishek Sharma. He scored a valuable 35 runs, striking three boundaries and a six, before falling to Xavier Bartlett.

However, Rana’s bowling display was underwhelming, as he conceded 27 runs in just two overs, with Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head targeting him during the powerplay.

“Someone who cooks well cannot be made a driver and a good driver cannot become the cook. Likewise, management should focus on each player’s strengths and primary role in the team, aiming to maximise their performance in that role,” Ramesh said while speaking on a video on his Instagram profile. 

“If they do something extra, that is well and good. But their secondary skill shouldn’t become the primary role and I fear that is 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,” Ramesh said. 

“The management needs to be clear on this. That is where India are slipping right now,” Ramesh added.

In the second T20I against Australia, India surprised many by sending Sanju Samson in at No. 3 ahead of captain Suryakumar Yadav. However, the move did not pay off, as the former managed only two runs before being dismissed.

“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,” Ramesh said.

“Samson went from opening to No. 5 and now from 5 to 3. Because of this, everyone is looking at each other in confusion about 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,” Ramesh added.