Sunil Gavaskar defends India sending Axar Patel up the order in Wellington ODI

India found themselves in trouble at 39 for 3 during the second ODI in Wellington after captain Rohit Sharma got out. The team management sent Axar Patel to bat at number 6 on Saturday to handle the tough pitch and quality New Zealand bowlers. Axar struggled on the tricky surface and managed only seven runs from seventeen balls. Former India player Sunil Gavaskar supported the move despite criticism from others. He explained that a left-handed batsman forces bowlers to change their line and length, which can create scoring chances for the team.

Reactions and Captain's Take

Gavaskar noted that the plan was right even though it failed this time, adding that captain Shubman Gill knew a steady player like KL Rahul was waiting to bat next. India eventually won the match after bowling out New Zealand for 134 runs. Gill admitted that batting on the Hnry Stadium pitch was very hard despite the low target. Gill also praised fast bowler Gurnoor for his pace and bounce, saying international cricket is all about handling pressure.

Context

Cricket teams often use left-handed batsmen higher up the order to disrupt the rhythm of opposition fast bowlers and spinners. Pitches that offer extra movement or uneven bounce can make run-chasing difficult even when the target is small.