Former India opener Sadagoppan Ramesh has delivered a sharp critique of India’s constant batting order experimentation, comparing it to making a cook drive a car. His comments came after Harshit Rana was surprisingly promoted ahead of Shivam Dube in the batting lineup during the second T20I against Australia in Melbourne. This decision has puzzled both fans and experts.
Sadagoppan Ramesh’s analogy was clear — players should be used according to their core strengths rather than being shuffled around unnecessarily. “Someone who cooks well cannot be made a driver, and a good driver cannot become a cook,” Ramesh said in an Instagram video. “Likewise, management should focus on each player’s primary skill and ensure that remains their main role. If a bowler can bat, that’s a bonus, but their main job is still to take wickets.”
Harshit Rana, who came in after Axar Patel’s dismissal, did make a fighting contribution, scoring 35 runs off 33 balls with three boundaries and a six, forming a steady partnership with Abhishek Sharma. However, his bowling performance was lacklustre as he went wicketless, conceding 27 runs in two overs during the powerplay — with Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head targeting him aggressively.
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Sadagoppan Ramesh believes this confusion stems from India’s indecisive approach to their batting order. “The management needs to be clear about roles. That’s where India are slipping right now,” he remarked.
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He also questioned India’s move to send Sanju Samson at No. 3 ahead of skipper Suryakumar Yadav, calling it unnecessary experimentation. Samson managed just two runs before being dismissed, while Suryakumar — who had performed brilliantly at No. 3 in the previous match — was pushed down the order.
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“India must stop playing musical chairs with the batting order,” Sadagoppan Ramesh said. “If they had stuck to their set positions, they could have scored around 160-170 and given themselves a fighting chance. Suryakumar Yadav was not out in the last game at No. 3, so why change it? Samson has gone from opening to No. 5, now to No. 3. Even Tilak Varma, who won India the Asia Cup final at No. 4, was moved to No. 5. All this only adds confusion.”
Ramesh’s remarks reflect a growing concern among cricket experts that India’s tactical inconsistency may cost them crucial matches in the lead-up to the next T20 World Cup.
