'Why send him at No. 3 when you have batting till No. 8?' - Former opener bemused by Axar Patel's promotion in batting order

Published - 12 Dec 2025, 16:51 IST | Updated - 12 Dec 2025, 16:51 IST

Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has cast questions over the management's rationale behind sending Axar Patel at No. 3 in the second T20I of the five-match series between India and South Africa. Axar registered 21 off as many deliveries during a run-chase in which India required 214 for victory.

Chopra felt other batters who are more accustomed to batting inside the powerplay and making the most of the fielding restrictions could have been sent instead of Axar, considering the magnitude of the target in front of the hosts.

"Correct the batting order and I say this with a lot of seriousness. You were chasing 214. It wasn't a small total and Shubman Gill got out in the first over. If you are trying to chase 214, you have to score 60 runs in the first six overs. You had to make the powerplay large. However, you sent Axar," shared Chopra in a video on his YouTube channel.

The renowned commentator opined others in the lineup could have sent above Axar on the basis of the depth the batting unit possesses. Chopra suggested Axar did not express himself much because of the wickets which fell at the other end.

"Why do you have to send him at No. 3 when you have batting till No. 8? It wasn't a left-right problem as well. A right-hander got out, you sent a left-hander, and there were two left-handers in the middle. He was trying, but two wickets fell from the other end, so he thought he would bat cautiously. He scored a run-a-ball 21. It wasn't good enough here," he added.

India threw Axar to wolves with No.3 batting move: Steyn

India eventually lost the contest in Mullanpur by 51 runs, getting all-out for 162 in 19.1 overs. Tilak Varma (62 off 34) emerged as the top-scorer for the Men in Blue. Other than him, no other player crossed even half of what he ended up scoring.

Axar, who failed to get going with the bat, was one of India's two wicket-takers in the first innings. The series is level at 1-1. The third match is scheduled to be played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on December 14.