India left left-handed batsman Axar Patel at number four over Shreyas Iyer as India’s top batsmen faltered against the Bangladesh spinners in the final session of the third day’s play of the second Test in Dhaka. While the decision to send him in front of specialist batsmen including Virat Kohli surprised many, it appeared to be a strategic decision to include him in a left-right combination aimed at disrupting the rhythm of the Bangladesh bowlers.
However, fans said that if that was the case, India should not have fielded the in-form Rishabh Pant and if they had done so, they would have seen a counter-attacking style.
“It will not send a good message to Kohli. He is the best batsman in the world. If he made such a move after he said it, then there is no problem. We don’t know what happened in the dressing room. But it is difficult to understand. Axar played well,” Gavaskar told Sony Sports.
Saba Karim said, “He (Kohli) is the best player in the world. 15 overs to go. Presumably this was done to get a left-right combination. Saba Karim said.
It’s an obvious thought, but then I think – did Rishabh Pant take sleeping pills? I will also say that it is easy for us to say this from here; We don’t know what happened there,” Jadeja said.