Cricket is a funny game. One moment you’re cruising, and the next, a single decision flips the narrative. That’s exactly what happened when India decided to push Shivam Dube up to No. 3 in their Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 clash against Bangladesh. Fans were scratching their heads, commentators were raising eyebrows, and Sanjay Manjrekar didn’t hold back on social media. He blasted the move, saying it “makes no sense” – and honestly, he might just have a point. Let’s break it down.

 

The Logic Behind Dube at No. 3 – Or Lack of It

 

While it looks feisty on paper, India’s batting order is stacked. One through seven (Suryakumar Yadav to Hardik Pandya) can hit it out of the park at will. So, want you did you go to Dube that high in the order with all that firepower?

 

The move backfired instantly. Dube, who has been inconsistent with the bat in this tournament (scores of 10 and 5 before this match), lasted all of three balls before nicking one to Towhid Hridoy off Rishad Hossain. Two runs and back to the dugout. That wicket stalled India’s momentum right after a fiery opening stand.

 

Manjrekar’s criticism hits the nail on the head. If you’ve got a guy like Suryakumar Yadav – arguably the best T20 batter in the world right now – ready to walk in, why send someone who’s still finding his rhythm? It’s like owning a Ferrari and choosing to drive a scooter on the highway. Sure, the scooter can get you places, but why risk it in the fast lane?

 

Abhishek Sharma’s Blaze Overshadowed the Blunder

 

If there was one saving grace, it was Abhishek Sharma’s fireworks at the top. The youngster smashed 75 off 37, peppering the Dubai sky with sixes and boundaries. His aggressive knock gave India a dream start, with a 77-run stand alongside Shubman Gill. For fans, watching Abhishek in full flow was pure entertainment.

 

But here’s the catch: such starts demand smart follow-ups. That’s where the Dube experiment hurt India. When your openers give you a launchpad, the next batter should capitalize, not fizzle out. Imagine how different things could have looked had Suryakumar walked in right after Abhishek’s dismissal. The pressure would’ve stayed on Bangladesh, instead of giving them a window back into the game.

 

Lessons in Balance and Role Clarity

 

T20 cricket is all about balance. Every player needs a clearly defined role. Abhishek is the aggressive opener, Gill is the anchor, SKY is the enforcer, and Hardik is the finisher. Dube’s primary strength in this tournament has been his bowling, and batting him higher up disrupted the natural flow of the order.

 

The bigger lesson? Don’t overcomplicate things. India’s batting depth is already its biggest strength. Sticking to tried-and-tested combinations is often better than gambling with experiments, especially in high-stakes games where momentum swings fast.

 

So, the question is, will India keep moving parts mid-tournament, or will they solidify their best XI and stick with it? Surely, in T20, clarity of line-up can be as perilous as natural ability.

 

FAQs

 

1. Why did Sanjay Manjrekar criticize India’s batting order change?

 

He felt promoting Shivam Dube to No. 3 made no sense when stronger batters like Suryakumar Yadav were available.

 

2. How did Shivam Dube perform at No. 3 against Bangladesh?

 

He scored just 2 runs off 3 balls before getting out.

 

3. Who was originally expected to bat at No. 3 for India?

 

Suryakumar Yadav was supposed to take the No. 3 spot.

 

 

Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.

 

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