Top 5 experts criticize India’s batting order shifts vs Bangladesh in Asia Cup 2025

India carried their dominant form into the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2025, registering a comfortable 41-run win over Bangladesh in their second fixture of the round.

The victory not only showcased India’s strength with both bat and ball but also cemented their place in the final of the prestigious tournament. Their performance highlighted consistency and depth across departments, giving them a huge boost ahead of the title clash.

The game took place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, September 24. With this win, India once again underlined their supremacy in the tournament, proving too strong for their opponents and ensuring their momentum remains intact heading into the final.

See Also: Why did India name a new Test vice captain for the West Indies series?

India Seals the Final by Defeating Bangladesh:

India, batting first, got off to a blazing start with Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma putting together 77 runs in just 38 balls. Gill chipped in with 29 from 19 deliveries, while Abhishek was the star of the partnership, hammering 75 off only 37 balls with six boundaries and five maximums before being dismissed via a run out.

However, the middle order couldn’t maintain the same tempo. Shivam Dube, pushed up to No. 3, scored just two, while captain Suryakumar Yadav fell for 5 at No. 4. Hardik Pandya played a steady hand with 38 off 29, but Tilak Varma and Axar Patel struggled to accelerate. India eventually finished on 168/6 after their 20 overs.

Chasing a target of 169, Bangladesh found themselves under pressure right from the start. Saif Hassan was the lone resistance, smashing 69 off 51 balls, including three fours and five sixes, but he was lucky to survive three dropped chances during his innings.

The rest of the batting line-up failed to provide support, with only Parvez Hossain Emon reaching double figures, scoring 21. Bangladesh were eventually bowled out for 127 in 19.3 overs. Kuldeep Yadav led the Indian attack with three wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakaravarthy chipped in with two wickets each, sealing a comfortable 41-run win for India.

Top 5 experts criticise India’s batting reshuffle vs Bangladesh, Asia Cup 2025:

Despite India reaching the Asia Cup 2025 final, their frequent changes in the batting lineup attracted significant backlash. Here’s a look at five experts who openly criticised India’s batting order decisions in the IND vs BAN Super 4 match.

• Aakash Chopra

Former India opener Aakash Chopra heavily criticised the team’s frequent middle-order shuffles, describing them as “confusing.” Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, he admitted he struggled to understand the reasoning behind the constant changes and expressed his bafflement over the strategy employed in the match.

He said, “ Well, quite a few things were actually weird. Of course, while Abhishek and Shubman were batting, it looked like a very good batting surface, and you can play through the line, and you could actually hit wherever you wanted to hit.”

He further said, “ But then the wicket falls, and then the batting order is inexplicable. I mean, what exactly India was trying to do with the batting order is baffling, to say the least. Tilak Verma should have been sent earlier in fact. Because I mean 3 was available, 4 was available. You don't send him, you send Hardik ahead of Tilak.”

He added, “ Somebody who's actually looked in quite decent touch in this tournament thus far, whatever opportunities he got. And again, yes Sanju should have been there. But very difficult to understand the thought process behind what they're doing.”

• Varun Aaron

Former India fast bowler Varun Aaron voiced his surprise at the team’s reshuffled batting lineup, particularly sending Shivam Dube and Axar Patel ahead of Sanju Samson, who has three T20I centuries. Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Aaron expressed his confusion and questioned the logic behind these middle-order changes during the match.

He said, “ I'm really perplexed with the way they deployed batsmen. They obviously thought they can get Dube on and he'll take down the spinners. But Sanju Samson is another option where he could have been slotted in early today, because we know how he enjoys batting slightly up top.”

He further said, “ I do not understand it. Axar ahead of Sanju Samson. The man's got 3 T20 centuries in the last year. You've got to cut him some slack. And to be honest, there's not much difference with any of the batsmen when it comes to their strike rate. It's not like we have 4 batsmen who can strike above 150 and we have a couple who can only play runner ball.”

He added, “ It's not like that. Every one of those batsmen in the top 8 can really have a good swipe at the ball and strike at a very high strike rate. So, I really don't see any motivation or any motive rather behind so many chops and changes in the batting order.”

• Sunil Gavaskar

Indian cricket icon Sunil Gavaskar also questioned the Men in Blue’s frequent batting order changes, noting that it unsettles the team’s flow. He further voiced concern over captain Suryakumar Yadav’s struggles with form, sharing his thoughts with India Today on the need for stability and consistent performance.

He said, “ Sometimes, when you are looking to give batters some practice, you tend to move your batting order just that little bit. I don't think there should be too much of a change in the batting order. That can affect the rhythm of the team. Batting order also needs a rhythm.”

He continued, “ Occasionally, you can push somebody up, looking at the circumstances. But to push a finisher like Dube at No. 3 was a little bit difficult. That is one area where India faltered a little bit. You yourself as captain have not scored runs in the previous game.”

He further said, “ It is important for the captain to come in and get a few runs. He came at No. 4 and got out, looking to play the same shot [like previous game]. That's a very productive shot for him, but when you are getting out to that, maybe you should not play it till you have really got the feel of the surface.”

• Irfan Pathan

Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan pointed out that India’s flexible batting order can make it tough for players to adjust to new roles. Highlighting the importance of strong finishes in the death overs, he shared his views on his YouTube channel (@officialIrfanPathan), stressing the need for consistency and clarity in the lineup.

He said, “ India have a very flexible batting line-up, the batters have to be flexible, they may have to bat at different positions. Sometimes they have to bat out of position, and that is not an easy task, it is difficult. Today, we saw Shivam Dube coming in at No.3, it is understandable because he has not batted much. So, he can get some batting time and also at that time spin was being bowled.”

He further said, “ The match-up was right there, but Sanju Samson had to bat quite low, Tilak Varma also got demoted. It is difficult to bat down the order and show the aggression straightaway. Sanju Samson did not even come to bat, the No.8 position is a position that is quite low for him. Even Axar Patel struggled, he is someone who is fluent mostly, even he did not seem in good rhythm.”

He added, “ Overall, looking at the batting, it seems that Abhishek Sharma is now the mainstay. India were 110 at one stage after Abhishek Sharma got out, and you expect to get 200 from there, but they could not even score 170. Apart from Hardik Pandya, the other lower middle-order batters, it seems like they need to work hard if they need to be successful in that finishing role.”

He concluded, “ Eventually, at the big stage, not Asia Cup, they might not need it here, but there will be a time where India will have to improve their finishing, especially the lower middle order batters who are used to batting in the top or middle order.”

• Kris Srikkanth

Ex-India opener Kris Srikkanth also slammed the team’s frequent batting order changes, calling them “a worrying trend.” He stressed that the top four should remain fixed and described the middle order as chaotic, sharing his views on his YouTube channel (@CheekyCheeka).

He said, “ Shivam Dube at 3, though it was to combat Rishad Hossain, every match chopping and changing the batting order is not a good sign. Though India are playing against several poor sides, it's still a major tournament. It's almost better off they don't play such a tournament and just hand the trophy to Team India.”

He further said, “ But the batting order should be settled. Where they can play around is whether Hardik Pandya bats at 5 or if Sanju Samson can bat at the position. But the top four should be settled at all times. By changing that only it is becoming a problem.”

He added, “ Tilak Varma played beautifully in the last game but got out early this time. What happens with so much changing is that the player loses confidence. The player should not lose confidence. They promoted Axar Patel in the end ahead of Samson. For that, they could have sent Axar Patel at 3. Instead of Dube, you could have sent Axar.”

He concluded, “ Axar has batted at No. 3 in the T20 World Cup itself. Even Dube didn't score in this game and two games prior, so he might lose confidence. Same with Sanju Samson so all our middle order batters have barely played one innings. So if you have a fixed top four, this problem will not arise. At the moment, the middle order is disorganised.”

Following their win over Bangladesh, India confirmed their place in the Asia Cup 2025 final. Their last Super 4 match is scheduled against Sri Lanka on Friday, September 26, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, where they will look to continue their dominant run.