The third T20I of the five-match series between India and England on the Niranjan Shah Stadium in Rajkot resulted in disappointment for the hosts as they suffered a 26-run defeat. The loss was attributed to an inconsistent batting order, with gamers not positioned of their pure roles. Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen criticized India’s batting technique, emphasizing that key batters weren’t utilized successfully.
Kevin Pietersen slams India’s batting order
Pietersen criticized India’s batting method, notably their order changes, in the course of the post-match evaluation. He expressed the idea that one of the best batters ought to bat on the high of the order.
KP cited an instance from the Durban Tremendous Giants‘ match within the SA20 2025, the place key gamers like Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen have been batting decrease than anticipated. Just like that Pietersen identified how Dhruv Jurel, a top-order batter, was moved to quantity 8 within the match for the sake of a left-right batting mixture, though there was little stress on the lower-order batters.
“I didn’t just like the batting order both. I’m somebody who believes your greatest batters ought to bat on the high of the order. I used to be in South Africa final week, and the Durban Tremendous Giants have been having an absolute shocker of a match. However Quinton de Kock was batting at 3 or 4, and Heinrich Klaasen was batting at 6 or 7. I approached these guys and requested, ‘Why are you doing this?’ You’ve seen the identical factor occur right here this night. A man like Dhruv Jurel, who’s an excellent and completed batter, is being dropped down the order due to the left-hander, right-hander technique. Hardik is struggling a bit, and there wasn’t that a lot stress on these batters to come back out and rating at 10 runs per over,” Pieterson stated whereas talking on Star Sports activities.
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Dhruv Jurel’s dismissal additional highlights India’s struggles
India’s struggles have been evident within the decrease order as Jurel, sometimes a top-order batter, was demoted to quantity eight. His transient keep on the crease ended when Brydon Carse bowled a full toss, which the 24-year-old tried to scoop in the direction of the wicketkeeper. Philip Salt took a simple catch and Jurel was dismissed on the rating of simply 2 runs dealing with 4 deliveries.
Although regardless of the defeat, India maintains a 2-1 lead within the collection, leaving two matches nonetheless to be performed. The fourth T20I is scheduled to happen on the Maharashtra Cricket Affiliation Stadium in Pune on Friday, January 31. Whereas India will purpose to bounce again and clinch the collection with a victory, England shall be decided to degree the rating and push the collection right into a decider. With the stakes excessive, followers can count on one other thrilling encounter between the 2 cricketing giants.
