-Vaibhav Tripathi in Dubai
There are moments in the game that define a team’s ability to think ahead, to trust instinct over convention, and to back players in roles that seem unconventional at first glance. India’s decision to promote Axar Patel to No. 5 and push KL Rahul down to No. 6 is one such strategic masterpiece, one that has silenced skeptics and justified the team management’s faith in adaptability over rigidity.
After India’s opening Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh, criticism mounted over the team management’s decision to push Axar to No. 5. Axar’s modest eight-run contribution in that game fueled the debate. In the following match against Pakistan, he had little to do as India cruised to a six-wicket victory. However, the true test of this strategy came against New Zealand, where Axar played a crucial knock, scoring 42 off 61 balls, including three fours and a six. His vital 98-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer helped stabilize India’s innings after the early loss of Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
The decision to persist with Axar at No. 5 was not an impromptu one. It had been planned well in advance and clearly communicated to him.
“The message was given to him right from the ODI series against England that, regardless of the match situation, he would bat at No. 5,” Rohit Sharma stated in a press conference before the semi-final against Australia. “The improvement he has shown with the bat over the past year has been incredible.”
That faith was justified once again in the high-pressure semi-final. When Shreyas Iyer fell, Axar stepped up, forging a crucial 44-run partnership with Virat Kohli. His 27 off 30 balls came at a tricky juncture, showcasing his ability to absorb pressure and counterattack when needed. The trust placed in him by the team management paid off.
At the heart of the discussion was always Rahul’s adjustment to his evolving role. From starting as an opener to settling in at No. 5 and now adapting to No. 6, his versatility has been commendable. When it mattered most, Rahul silenced the critics in style, scoring an unbeaten 42 off 34 deliveries and finishing the game with a six. His celebration after that shot reflected the pressure he had been carrying and his ability to thrive under it.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir, a firm believer in maintaining a right-left combination in the middle order, stood by the decision, and it proved to be a masterstroke.
“People keep questioning it, and I don’t know for how long they will,” Gambhir said after the semi-final. “But we believe KL gives us the depth we need, and that’s how we want to play.”
The reasoning behind this strategy is both simple and effective. Axar’s presence as a left-hander disrupts opposition bowling plans, particularly against teams that rely on right-arm off-spinners or leg-spinners to trouble India’s middle order. His ability to take on spin early in the innings brings a dynamic edge to India’s batting approach.
Rahul, meanwhile, is more of a stabilizer at No. 6, a batter with impeccable technique and the ability to adapt to different match situations. Whether anchoring an innings or accelerating when required, he provides the finishing touch India needs in crunch moments.
In modern cricket, success is as much about tactical match-ups as it is about individual brilliance. By promoting Axar and shifting Rahul to No. 6, India’s management has embraced a pragmatic approach, one that has already yielded results and could prove decisive in their quest for silverware.
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