New Delhi: MS Dhoni & Co would be disappointed with the way they let the third ODI slip away from them. While the Indian skipper blamed the nature of the wicket for the loss, what has been baffling to see of late, is the way he has been shuffling the batting order.
It is beyond ones understanding, why Virat Kohli can't be the permanent batsman at number three. Time and again, experts have reiterated the fact that the best batsman of a team bats at that position. Kohli has been a matchwinner for India at number three, however Dhoni has been promoting Rahane ahead of him which has hampered Kohli's performance to an extent.
On the other hand, the team management has been experimenting a lot with Ajinkya Rahane's batting order. While he batted at number three position in the first and the second ODI, for the third ODI, Kohli was back to the number three spot, as Rahane came to bat at number six, when the required run-rate was soaring and he was dismissed for 4 runs.
While Kohli is the best batsman to bat at number three, Rahane too should be given a fixed slot of batting at number four, a position from where he can take some time to shape his innings in the 50-over format. Suresh Raina and Dhoni can perform the role of finishers at number five and six respectively.
The last thing we would want to see is Dhoni replacing Rahane with Ambati Rayudu for the fourth ODI, as his experiments aren't going India's way.
It's high time the batsmen know their permanent batting positions, something which will also give them the confidence to perform well and make a comeback in the five-match ODI series.
