Team India’s batting order against Australia in Perth has triggered a storm of criticism, with former players and analysts questioning the logic behind demoting KL Rahul in the lineup. Despite his current sparkling form and a reputation for delivering under pressure, Rahul was asked to bat at No. 6 — a move many believe undermined India’s batting strategy and cost them vital momentum.
The decision came as a surprise to fans and pundits alike, especially given Rahul’s ability to anchor innings and adapt to challenging conditions. What followed was a steady yet crucial 38-run knock from the elegant right-hander, who once again proved why he remains one of India’s most technically proficient and mentally composed batters.
But for many, including former BCCI chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth, the damage was already done. The veteran didn’t hold back in his post-match analysis, labelling the team’s approach as “rubbish” and “absurd,” arguing that the management had once again failed to recognize Rahul’s true value at the top of the order.
Former India captain and chief selector Kris Srikkanth was left shocked and baffled by the call, and termed the tactic to demote KL Rahul '𝙖𝙗𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝙧𝙪𝙗𝙗𝙞𝙨𝙝’.
— Cricket.com (@weRcricket) October 20, 2025
Thoughts?👀 pic.twitter.com/zPoAMHWdbz
KL Rahul’s Composed Knock Amid Uncertain Conditions
Under the heavy skies of Perth, the pitch offered extra bounce and lateral movement — conditions that demanded both patience and precision. India’s top order struggled early, losing quick wickets to Australia’s new-ball attack. Amidst the chaos, KL Rahul walked in and restored balance with his signature calmness.
Scoring 38 off 31 deliveries, Rahul combined classical strokeplay with sharp game awareness. His innings featured two fours and two sixes, including a pair of elegant pull shots off Nathan Ellis and back-to-back sixes against Matthew Short that reignited India’s chase. Every shot carried intent — controlled aggression, well-timed placements, and the ability to rotate strike under pressure.
Rahul’s knock might not have been a half-century, but it spoke volumes about his temperament. On a surface that exposed technical flaws in others, he demonstrated how to build an innings with composure and confidence. Even so, his late arrival in the batting order raised the fundamental question — why was one of India’s most dependable batters held back until the middle-late overs?
Srikkanth’s Strong Words: “A Complete Misjudgment by the Team”
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth delivered a blunt assessment of India’s tactics:
“It was an absurd decision by the team and management. KL Rahul should have batted ahead of Shreyas Iyer, even before Axar Patel. You don’t hide a player like him. When he scores, he scores big. Sending Axar ahead of him is absolute rubbish.”
Srikkanth went on to emphasize the difference in conditions between Australia and the subcontinent, highlighting how Rahul’s adaptability and timing make him ideal for batting higher in the order.
“If I were captain, I’d send him at No. 4. He should face the maximum number of balls. That’s how you get the best out of him,” he added.
His comments resonated widely among former cricketers and fans who felt that India’s management was experimenting too much, sacrificing structure for tactical variety. Srikkanth’s statement encapsulated a growing sentiment — India’s reliance on data-driven combinations might be overshadowing on-field intuition.
The Role of KL Rahul: Underutilized Potential
KL Rahul’s role in India’s T20 setup has long been a topic of discussion. A player with the ability to both anchor and accelerate, Rahul has been used in multiple positions — opening, middle-order, and now, even lower down. However, his best performances have consistently come when he’s allowed to bat early and build momentum.
Rahul’s adaptability is a strength, but over-flexibility can dilute a player’s rhythm. At No. 6, he faces fewer balls and limited opportunities to control the innings. For a batsman who thrives on consistency and tempo, this inconsistency in positioning risks blunting his edge.
In Perth, Rahul once again proved he could stabilize a crumbling innings, but it also became clear that India’s tactical rigidity was preventing him from influencing the game to his full potential.
Gambhir and Gill Add Fuel to the Debate
The controversy didn’t end with Srikkanth. Former opener Gautam Gambhir and current star Shubman Gill both weighed in, questioning India’s selection logic. Gambhir, known for his analytical approach, criticized the management’s obsession with alternating left-right combinations instead of trusting players in their natural roles.
“A left-right balance doesn’t win matches. Performance does. Rahul should have been sent up to stabilize after the early wickets. You can’t demote a player who’s in form just to maintain a pattern,” Gambhir remarked during a post-match discussion.
Shubman Gill echoed a similar sentiment, warning that such unpredictable decisions could disrupt player confidence heading into major tournaments. “A player like KL Rahul needs consistency in role and responsibility. Frequent changes break rhythm and clarity,” he said.
Their views reflected a broader frustration — India’s overemphasis on tactical balance might be eroding the psychological stability of its batting unit.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Delayed Entry: Another Question Mark
Srikkanth also highlighted another tactical error: the delayed entry of Nitish Kumar Reddy, a player specifically selected for his power-hitting abilities. By the time Reddy came to the crease, the situation demanded composure rather than aggression, neutralizing his intended role.
“You brought him in as a finisher, yet you didn’t give him the chance to finish,” Srikkanth noted. “After Axar and KL got out, he should have been promoted. Don’t overcomplicate things with left-right combinations.”
This critique underscored India’s recurring issue of over-tinkering — a pattern that has haunted the team in key matches across formats. While tactical flexibility is essential, excessive experimentation often backfires, leaving players unsure of their positions and roles.
Why Rahul Deserves a Top-Order Spot
KL Rahul’s recent performances across formats paint a clear picture of reliability and class. His calm temperament, shot precision, and ability to switch gears make him the ideal choice for India’s top four. Historically, his strike rate and averages are significantly better when he faces the new ball or enters within the first six overs.
Demoting him curtails his natural rhythm and limits his opportunity to dictate the tempo. In T20 cricket, where a single over can change momentum, having your most technically sound player sitting in the dugout until halfway through the innings is strategically unsound.
Moreover, Rahul’s record in Australia further strengthens his case. His adaptability to bouncy tracks, coupled with his fluent backfoot play, makes him invaluable in conditions that demand both skill and composure.
Lessons for the Road Ahead
As India looks ahead to upcoming fixtures and the looming T20 World Cup, the Perth incident should serve as a learning curve. Tactical innovation must never come at the cost of common sense. Rahul’s demotion symbolizes a deeper flaw — an uncertainty in the team’s vision for batting order stability.
With a top-heavy lineup that includes Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shubman Gill, India’s middle order demands structure, not experimentation. Giving Rahul the freedom to operate in his best position — whether No. 4 or even No. 3 — could provide that much-needed balance between caution and aggression.
Consistency in role assignment also builds trust within the squad, allowing players to prepare mentally for specific situations rather than constantly adapting to new roles.
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I completely agree with him.
— Kunal Yadav (@Kunal_KLR) October 21, 2025
Demoting a batsman of KL Rahul's caliber is a crime. pic.twitter.com/7GS1bgR6tf
Conclusion
India’s narrow escape in Perth exposed as much as it revealed. It showed resilience under pressure but also tactical hesitation. KL Rahul, through yet another composed innings, reminded everyone of his worth. Yet, the decision to sideline him down the order remains indefensible.
If India truly intends to dominate the T20 circuit, it must field its best players in positions where they can make the greatest impact. For Rahul, that means batting higher, facing more balls, and shaping the innings rather than salvaging it.
The message from legends like Srikkanth, Gambhir, and Gill is crystal clear: trust your best, use them wisely, and stop overthinking.
India cannot afford to waste KL Rahul’s form or misplace his potential. The road to T20 success begins with clarity — and that clarity starts by giving Rahul the place he deserves.
