Former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has lashed out at the Indian team management, questioning the decision to send KL Rahul at No. 6. Srikkanth asserted that Rahul is more effective when he has time to settle at the crease rather than being rushed to deliver quick runs in the final overs. Notably, India's three-match ODI series in England ended on a disappointing note after the side copped a 27-run defeat in the third and final match at Lord's.
India's defeat allowed England to clinch the series 2-1. In the third game, chasing a target of 388, India were restricted to 360/7 in 50 overs, with only Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli top-scoring with 138, 77 and 74, respectively. India, despite enjoying impressive performances from the experienced trio at the top of the order, saw their middle order fail to capitalise on a fine start. Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul could not provide the momentum in the lower order, leading to India's defeat.
"Will anyone send KL Rahul at No.6 when chasing such a huge total? That guy has won you so much in tough run-chases. Just like you screwed up Sanju Samson and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, now you are screwing up KL Rahul. Is Rahul a No.6 or 7 batter? This is gross injustice. His body language also looked like someone nervous yesterday," Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Krishnamachari Srikkanth further believed that KL Rahul should have been sent to bat at No. 4 because, as per Srikkanth, Rahul is hugely capable of churning out quickfire knocks at that position.
"India needed someone to do the Jos Buttler role. That's where Kishan and Shreyas Iyer got out right away. But if Rahul had gone in at No.4, he would have complemented Virat Kohli like they did a few times in the 2023 World Cup. Rahul is capable of accelerating easily. Instead, they sent him out to bat when the match was over. How was he possibly going to win the game needing 15 per over with Axar Patel?" he said.