In the ongoing ODI series against Afghanistan, the Indian team has performed brilliantly and won both the initial matches. After winning the series, now Team India’s eyes are set on a clean sweep. However, amid the team’s victory, the batting order of wicketkeeper batsman KL Rahul remains a topic of discussion. In the first match of the series, Rahul got a chance to bat at number 5, where he finished the match by scoring unbeaten 39 runs in 19 balls. In the second ODI, he was sent to number 6, but he returned to the pavilion on the very first ball without opening the account. Now former Indian captain and former chief selector Krish Srikkanth has expressed concern about the constantly changing batting order.

Krish Srikkanth spoke on Rahul’s batting order

Krish Srikkanth believes that sending an experienced batsman like KL Rahul down the order continuously is not the right decision. According to him, this may not only affect Rahul’s performance but may also cause loss to the team. During a conversation on his YouTube channel, Srikkanth said, ‘If KL Rahul is batting at number six then it is neither good for him nor for the team. In my opinion, in any case, he should play at number four or maximum number five. I think the team management should adopt rotation policy. The players who are completely set in the team, rest them in a few matches and give opportunities to others and then select the playing 11.

Rahul’s role is constantly changing

In recent times, KL Rahul has been seen batting at different positions in the Indian team. Sometimes he is seen in the middle order and sometimes in the lower order. In such a situation, questions are continuously being raised regarding his definite role. The former selector believes that Rahul should bat at such a place where he can get enough time and balls to make an innings. Coming lower in the order, he often has to face pressure to score runs quickly.

Target of clean sweep in Chennai

The third and final match of the three-match ODI series between India and Afghanistan will be played on June 20 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The Indian team has already won the series and now it will try to wipe out the visiting team. On the other hand, Afghanistan team will enter the field with the intention of saving honour. However, looking at the current form, India seems to have the upper hand.

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At which number will Rahul get a chance?

Since the series has been decided, the Indian team management can make some changes and experiments in the final match. In such a situation, everyone’s eyes will be on which batting order KL Rahul is sent. There is a strong discussion among cricket experts and fans whether the team management will give Rahul a chance to return to his favorite role or he will have to bat in the lower order once again. The answer will be found in Chennai ODI.

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In IPL 2026, Sunrisers Hyderabad had to face a very embarrassing defeat against Gujarat Titans. Chasing the target of 169 runs, Hyderabad team was reduced to just 86 runs. This also became the team’s lowest score in IPL history. After this defeat, questions are being raised continuously on the team’s batting. Former Indian cricketer and 1983 World Cup winner Krishnamachari Srikkanth strongly criticized the Hyderabad batsmen. Especially he expressed his displeasure regarding the shot selection of young batsman Abhishek Sharma.

Abhishek Sharma hit a brilliant six on the first ball of his innings. But even after this he continued trying to play big shots. Playing in a hurry, he got out after scoring only 6 runs. Srikanth said that it is not wise to attack every ball. One should bat after understanding the situation of the match.

Travis Head was also a complete flop

Hyderabad’s second opener Travis Head was out without opening the account in this match. Srikanth also raised questions on his batting. He said that Travis Head has not been able to time the ball properly this entire season. He got lucky in some matches, but this time he was a complete flop.
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Rabada’s bowling broke his back

Gujarat Titans fast bowler Kagiso Rabada bowled brilliantly. He kept the Hyderabad batsmen under complete pressure with his fast pace and precise line length. The batsmen had no answer to his balls. The condition was so bad that the team captain pat cummins Became the team’s biggest scorer by scoring 19 runs. This clearly showed that the entire batting unit had failed miserably.

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Now there is a need to change the strategy

After this defeat, questions are being raised on Hyderabad’s strategy. Cricket experts believe that the team will have to get out of the mindset of playing only big shots. If Hyderabad has to become a strong contender in IPL 2026, then the batsmen will have to play responsibly and intelligently.

Krishnamachari Srikkanth Warned Team India: The match between India and Zimbabwe in the Super-8 of ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will be held today i.e. on 26th February. This match will be played at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This match is going to be do or die for both the teams. To reach the semi-finals of T20 World Cup 2026, both the teams will not only have to win, but will also have to win with a better net run rate, because both the teams are coming after losing their first Super-8 match by a big margin. Team India would like to defeat Zimbabwe by a big margin at any cost, because everything for Team India is at stake.

In this tournament, India will also face West Indies on March 1. The Caribbean team is in excellent form, but former Indian legend Krishnammachari Srikkanth has given a big statement before the match against Zimbabwe.

Krishnammachari Srikanth gave a big statement

Krishnammachari Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel, ‘West Indies is currently one step ahead of India after defeating Zimbabwe. Everything has now stopped for Team India after the match between South Africa and West Indies. Zimbabwe will be a bigger threat to India than West Indies on the Chennai pitch.

Let us tell you, Zimbabwe is in good form throughout the tournament. They created a big upset by defeating Australia and Sri Lanka in the group stage. They had their first defeat of this T20 World Cup against West Indies, in which West Indies defeated them by a huge margin of 107 runs.

India is considered favorite against Zimbabwe

India is the favorite to win the match against Zimbabwe. There is no repeating in this, but Zimbabwe can definitely surprise India on the wicket of Chennai. Team India will also have to keep in mind that they will have to win against Zimbabwe by a big margin. Let us tell you that South Africa had defeated India by a huge margin of 76 runs in the first Super-8 match. After this big defeat, the net run rate of Team India has deteriorated significantly, which India would like to correct against Zimbabwe.

Before the T20 World Cup 2026, cricket and politics once again seem to be clashing with each other. The recent statement of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has further fueled this controversy. Naqvi indicated that Pakistan may withdraw from the T20 World Cup 2026 in support of Bangladesh. Bangladesh had refused to play in India citing security reasons and was out of the tournament.

Former Indian cricketer and 1983 World Cup winning captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth has given a sharp reaction to this statement of Mohsin Naqvi. Srikanth said in clear words that if Pakistan is scared then there is no need for it to come to India.

Srikanth’s strong statement

Srikanth said on his YouTube channel that many teams may get scared after seeing the way the current Indian team is batting. He said, “In the last match, India scored 209 runs in 15 overs, now 150 runs in 10 overs. I have never seen such a beating in T20 cricket. I want to tell Pakistan, do not come. Your chairman himself is giving the same signal. If you come, you will be beaten badly.”

Srikanth also said in a funny but stern manner that India’s power-hitting is so dangerous that a six hit in Colombo will reach Madras. According to him, the current form of the Indian team is a warning to other teams.

Squad announced after statement

Interestingly, just hours after Naqvi hinted at withdrawing from the World Cup, Pakistan had announced its squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. However, even after the announcement of the squad, the situation is not completely clear.

Pakistan management told in the press conference that the team has not yet received formal approval from the government to go to India and play. The final decision has to be taken by the Government of Pakistan.

Waiting for the government’s decision

Speaking to the players and coaching staff in Lahore, Mohsin Naqvi said, “We are waiting for the government’s advice. Whatever the government says will be done. If the government asks us not to go to the World Cup, we will follow it.”