The Team India management’s decision to rearrange the batting order during a critical Asia Cup 2025 match against Bangladesh has sparked criticism from former player Sanjay Manjrekar. After the early dismissal of opener Shubman Gill, head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav made the surprising move to promote Shivam Dube up the order. Dube, however, managed only 2 runs off 3 balls, appearing flustered during his brief stint at the crease.
Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma, who followed next, also failed to make a mark, each scoring just 5 runs. Adding to the surprise, Sanju Samson, known for his batting prowess, was demoted in the order, a decision that did not sit well with many, including Manjrekar.
Speaking out about the choice to promote Dube, Manjrekar said, “Messing around with the batting order. I don’t know why Dube was promoted. He doesn’t have a better strike rate than the other batters. Suryakumar Yadav’s strike rate is 140. India would have done well had they stuck with the normal batting order.” He further added that there was no apparent need for this change and suggested that Dube should have remained in his designated batting position, as he had already played a couple of matches in that spot.
Currently, India has maintained a strong performance in the tournament, winning four consecutive matches and positioning themselves as favorites to play in the final on September 28. The controversial change in the batting lineup, however, has raised questions about the team’s strategy moving forward.
Despite the criticism, India’s path to the finals appears promising, provided they continue their winning momentum. The outcome against Bangladesh has underlined the importance of a stable and predictable batting order, which could be a key factor in their potential success in the finals.