IPL 2023 | Baffling Decision from RCB as Harshal Patel Promoted over Dinesh Karthik
Harshal promoted at number 5 [iplt20.com]
We have seen some bizarre decisions in the ongoing IPL, but none bigger than the experiment tried by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the ongoing match against Delhi Capitals (DC).
When Mahipal Lomror departed for 26, the RCB scorecard read 117 for 3 inside 13 overs. Everyone expected Dinesh Karthik to come in at number 5 to provide the finishing glory, but the team management surprised everyone by promoting Harshal Patel ahead of a specialist batter.
With the pitches being flat at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB needed to boost their scorecard. And with specialist batters in DK, Shahbaz Ahmed still in the dugout, RCB decided to promote Harshal up the order, a decision that eventually back-fired.
Harshal Patel did manage a six off Axar Patel, but that was his only glory moment as he departed on the next ball itself.
He went after Axar once again, but there was a faint-edge as the keeper made no mistake behind the stumps.
The scoreboard pressure took a toll on Maxwell as well as the hard-hitting batter departed in the next over to put DC in command.
At the time of writing, RCB are struggling at 132 for 6.
 "Anurag Dasgupta")
