Ex-cricketers figure out the 'elephant in the room' as India gear up for the third T20I

Wanindu Hasaranga celebrating a dismissal [Source: AP]

On Saturday, India will take on Sri Lanka in the final T20I of the three-match series in Rajkot. After suffering a narrow two-run defeat in Mumbai, the Lankan Lions brought parity, winning the second T20I by 16 runs. 

India's top order disappointed them in the second match. While Shubman Gill recorded another failure, Ishan Kishan and debutant Rahul Tripathi managed single-digit scores. 

So, ahead of the final, ex-cricketers Saba Karim and Reetinder Singh Sodhi have advised India to resolve their top-order woes. 

Speaking to India News, both former players hailed Axar Patel and Suryakumar Yadav for their outstanding batting in the second T20I, asking the top order to step up in the all-important decider. 

"The biggest problem is India’s top order. When experienced players were playing, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya bailed us many times. Now, there is a similar situation. This issue needs to be addressed", Karim said. 

"The top order needs to contribute. Hardik Pandya’s form with the bat was not as expected. If we look at the two games, the lower order saved us, especially Axar and Suryakumar," Sodhi opined. 

As India will likely move on from senior pros Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the shortest format, the upcoming T20Is will be crucial for the likes of Gill, Ishan, Tripathi and Gaikwad, who are yet to make their mark in international cricket. 

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