 "'Batting order management worse than Indigo': Surya, Gambhir's tactics slammed after 51-run loss in 2nd T20I")
India’s batting order innovations did not go down well with the fans as the Men in Blue lost the second T20I against South Africa on Thursday at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur. The five-match series is now level at 1-1 going into the third clash in Dharamsala.
India conceded 213-4 after choosing to bowl first which is now the first time the team has given away 200 runs since the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph. In reply, despite Tilak Varma’s half-century, the hosts were bowled out for only 162 in 19.1 overs to lose the match by 51 runs.
IND vs SA: Surprising batting order changes
India lost Shubman Gill for a Golden Duck in the very first over. Axar Patel was sent into bat at number three in a big surprise call.
Axar could not get going as India kept losing wickets from the other end with both Abhishek Sharma and captain Suryakumar Yadav also failing. The all-rounder started slow and ended up with a run-a-ball 21 before getting out in the eighth over.
Another bold call taken by the team management was that of sending Shivam Dube at No.8. Dube, known for his prowess against spin in the middle order, was demoted down the order and by the time he came to bat, the game was effectively over. The left-hander got out on the second ball he faced for only one run.
Varma did wage a lone battle for India with a 34-ball 62 but did not find enough support from the other batters.
Ottniel Baartman picked up four wickets for South Africa while Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen and Lutho Sipamla also got a couple of wickets each.
Quick Reads
View AllEarlier, Quinton de Kock slammed a brilliant 90 from just 46 balls to set the foundation of a high score for South Africa. Donovan Ferreira (30*) and David Miller (20*) then applied finishing touches to propel South Africa to 213/4 in 20 overs.
When your batting order management is worse than Indigo management pic.twitter.com/bmV6ulH14N
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) December 11, 2025
The whole point of having extra batting depth is that it gives you the license to break free and stay ahead of the required rate/par scores. In today’s game, India’s game was over even before their no.7 arrived. You’d rather be bowled out for 100 than end up like this. #INDvSA
— Rohit Yadav (@cricrohit) December 11, 2025
Gautam Gambhir as a coach:
— Dev (@refocus21) December 11, 2025
-No clear plan for the batting lineup
-No idea about the bowling rotation
-No clue whom to pick for the next match
-No timing for using benched players
-Same players getting unlimited chances, form doesn’t matter
-Experiments at the wrong time… pic.twitter.com/ZWOIiVq3pZ
Till only a few months back India had a perfect batting template in T20s; and then they tried to probably fix something that wasn’t broken.
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) December 11, 2025
Axar Patel being sent in tonight at No.3 is an admission of the lack of confidence in this batting#IndvsSA
Downside of flexible batting order - there needs to be enough game time for a player at a particular position. On days like these when 214 is needed you'd expect Top 4 to fire. Axar at 3 is an experiment but in a tough situation you'd love to see someone you see batting at 3 in…
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) December 11, 2025
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