Former Indian keeper-batter and commentator Dinesh Karthik has slammed the Indian team management, headed by Gautam Gambhir, for sending Harshit Rana ahead of the all-rounder Shivam Dube in the third T20I against England at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Tuesday, July 7.
Speaking on air during the game, Karthik asserted that the decision to hold back Dube was a bit difficult to understand. In the 202-run chase, India got bundled out for 76 runs in 11.4 overs, losing the game by a whopping 125-run margin to trail the series by 0-2.
“Are you serious? Harshit Rana ahead of Shivam Dube? You can’t be serious,” Karthik was heard saying on air.
“Do they (the team management) not trust Dube enough to send him in at this stage? Instead, they’ve promoted Harshit Rana ahead of him. I’m not sure that’s the right way to go about it,” he added.
After Axar Patel got out in the fifth over of the 202-run chase, Harshit Rana was promoted up the order at No. 7 as the bowling all-rounder came out to bat. However, he could score only nine runs off 13 balls with a boundary.
On the other hand, Shivam Dube, who came out to bat after Tilak Varma’s dismissal at No.8, couldn’t create an impact, scoring only two runs off four balls. Interestingly, none of the Indian batters went past the 15-run mark in the 202-run chase.
Delving into the details of the game, England, after being tasked to bat first, scored a whopping total of 201/7 in 20 overs. Phil Salt (70), Jos Buttler (36), and Sam Curran (41*) were the top scorers in the first innings.
In the chase, India got bundled out for 76 runs in 11.4 overs, losing the game by 125 runs. Jofra Archer scalped a three-wicket haul, and Josh Tongue racked up a four-wicket haul.
Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at Sky247 India and download the Sky247 app to start betting today!
