Shubman Gill Under Fire: India’s limited-overs tour of Australia began on a bitter note as the Shubman Gill-led ODI side suffered a crushing seven-wicket defeat in the first match at Perth. Despite having a star-studded line-up featuring Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, India looked out of rhythm, disjointed, and strangely confused in their strategy — especially when it came to the batting order.
A Rain-Hit Start That Turned into a Nightmare
The match, reduced to 26 overs per side due to rain, saw India posting just 136/9 — a total far below expectations. The top order completely collapsed on a spicy Perth wicket, leaving fans stunned. Shubman Gill (7), Rohit Sharma (10), Virat Kohli (16), and Shreyas Iyer (9) — all fell cheaply, unable to adapt to the bounce and movement.
In the midst of this chaos, Axar Patel and KL Rahul tried to bring some respectability to the innings. Axar fought hard for his 31 runs while Rahul, with his trademark calmness, scored a patient 38. But despite their resistance, India’s innings never truly recovered.
Australia, led by their fiery pacers and calm batting from Mitchell Marsh, made light work of the chase, reaching the target with seven wickets and plenty of balls to spare.
Srikkanth Blasts Team Management’s “Absurd” Decision
But what grabbed headlines more than the loss itself was the shocking decision to send KL Rahul — an experienced batter with 86 ODIs to his name — at No. 6, below Axar Patel. Former India opener and 1983 World Cup champion Krishnamachari Srikkanth did not mince his words when expressing his frustration over this move.
“KL Rahul should play ahead of Shreyas Iyer. It was an absurd decision by the team and management. You are leaving him and looking somewhere else. If he scores, he scores a lot. Axar Patel going higher than KL is absolute rubbish,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
His comments reflected what millions of Indian fans were already thinking — how could such a seasoned and technically gifted player like KL Rahul be pushed so far down the order in conditions that required experience and composure?
A Question of Logic and Leadership
Srikkanth further pointed out that conditions in Australia are completely different from those in the subcontinent. The extra bounce, pace, and swing demand batters with better technique and patience — qualities that KL Rahul has in abundance.
“You have one of the best and classiest players in your XI. KL should have come in at five. If I were the captain, I would have even sent him at four, in fact. The conditions in the subcontinent are different from those in Australia. He should be playing the maximum number of balls,” Srikkanth added.
His logic was simple — a batter like KL Rahul, known for his adaptability and calm under pressure, should be given enough deliveries to build an innings. By holding him back till No. 6, India not only limited his impact but also made their middle order unnecessarily fragile.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Case Adds to the Confusion
It wasn’t just Rahul’s position that raised eyebrows. The batting order of all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy also became a topic of debate. Brought into the squad as a big hitter, Reddy was sent too low, limiting his chance to make any impact.
Srikkanth criticized this call too, saying,
“Another mistake they made was not sending Nitish in after KL and Axar got out. You took him as a big hitter in the team, then put him in front. Don’t go behind the left-right combination.”
It was a reflection of poor planning and lack of clarity — a recurring theme in India’s recent ODI outings.
Did Rain Save India From a Bigger Embarrassment?
Srikkanth didn’t stop there. He claimed that rain possibly saved India from an even bigger defeat. “By any chance, had they gone up to 160 and not lost more wickets, the DLS score would have been higher and probably things could have favored India. If we talk neutrally, rain actually saved them,” he said.
The former cricketer’s words carried weight, as it was evident that the team appeared deflated midway through the innings. Once they lost early wickets, the intent seemed to vanish.
“India started giving up after 60 or 70 for two. But if they had 150 on the board, they wouldn’t have given up. It may have been difficult even for Marsh,” he added.
Shubman Gill Under Fire: A Wake-Up Call for Shubman Gill’s Leadership
For Shubman Gill, this series marks his first big test as captain. Leading India in Australian conditions is never easy, but his tactical calls — especially around batting order and player roles — have already come under the scanner. The fans and experts alike expect a much sharper approach in the next ODI.
Gill will now need to prove that he can not only lead with the bat but also with his mind. With two ODIs remaining, India must regroup, rethink, and show the fighting spirit that the fans have always admired.
Conclusion
The first ODI was more than just a loss — it was a reminder of how small decisions in cricket can create big consequences. Pushing a player like KL Rahul down the order might seem tactical on paper, but on tough Australian pitches, it can be the difference between 136 and 236.
As India prepares for the next match, fans will be hoping that lessons have been learned — because talent alone doesn’t win games; clarity and courage do.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available sports news and expert opinions. The views expressed are for informational purposes only and do not intend to defame or insult any player, team, or individual.