Former India spinner
While India ultimately secured a victory in the contest, Kartik argued that the management failed to play to the youngster's strengths. The former cricketer maintained that Sooryavanshi is most effective when allowed to play his natural game at the top of the order, rather than being forced into the middle-order setup where he lacks experience.
Tactical Mismanagement and the Role of Senior Players
Kartik expressed his frustration during the broadcast, noting that he had advocated for a different approach before the match commenced. He highlighted that both Sooryavanshi and Abhishek Sharma possess similar aggressive styles that are best suited for opening the batting. By pushing the teenager down the order, the management disrupted his natural approach, a move Kartik believes was unnecessary given the depth of the squad.
The former spinner suggested that the responsibility of batting at No. 3 should have fallen to a more seasoned campaigner like Sanju Samson. According to Kartik, senior players possess the flexibility and experience required to adapt to different roles, whereas young talents should be positioned where they are most comfortable to ensure they can contribute effectively. He described Samson as a reliable option who could have shielded the younger player from an out-of-position role.
Alternative Selection Strategies
Beyond the
Kartik concluded that the primary objective of the team management should be to extract the best performance from each individual. By forcing Sooryavanshi into a position he has not played before, the team failed to capitalise on his specific skill set. Despite the positive result for India, the former international insisted that the strategic handling of the batting lineup remains a point of concern for the coaching staff moving forward.
