Hanuma Vihari slams Dravid & co for experimenting too much before the Cricket World Cup 2023

Ousted Indian middle-order batsman, Hanuma Vihari has strongly criticised the Indian team management.

Team India faced huge criticism after facing an upsetting defeat against West Indies in the second ODI. The struggling Indian middle order collapsed against the West Indies bowling attack after a magnificent 90-run opening stand between Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill. Soon after they both departed, India were 5 down for 113. Indian management was also in an experimental mode as they promoted Axar Patel at number 4 and Suryakumar Yadav coming in to bat at number 6 at Kensington Oval. 

Hanuma Vihari slams team management

Indian middle order batter Hanuma Vihari also found it hard to digest the shuffling of the Indian middle order in both ODIs. Vihari on Jio Cinema said, “It shows that India are not sure about the batting order yet. Surya has not performed well in the ODI format, unlike his performance in the T20Is. So they are looking to get an answer for the middle order slot if KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer don’t recover. That’s the reason the changes are evident”. KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer both are currently in rehabilitation. 

Hanuma Vihari also said that when the Asia Cup and World Cup, two big tournaments are closing in, the team should not do many experiments. He said, “I am not a big fan of changes. You need certain players playing while running into the World Cup. India are not sure about the batting lineup, it’s very clear”. Vihari also said that India are looking to better the batting depth as Axar Patel got the opportunity ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal. 

Talking about Chahal, right-hand batter said, “Axar Patel has been picked ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal. That shows they have lengthened the batting lineup. In the World Cup when the pitches start to turn, they might prefer Axar ahead of Chahal as 3rd spinner”.

Team India went in with Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav in the second ODI. Yuzvendra Chahal and Ruturaj Gaikwad are yet to get the opportunity in the ODI series.