Team India’s performance in yesterday’s ODI match against South Africa brought some relief after the painful series defeat in the red-ball format. The win felt comforting. Yet the match also revealed several issues in the ODI setup that fans could not ignore.
Sundar’s Struggle at the Crease
Washington Sundar’s performance stood out for the wrong reasons. He played 19 balls and scored 13 runs. Everyone has tough days, but Sundar struggled to rotate the strike with Virat Kohli. He faced too many dot balls, which frustrated fans.
Limited-Overs Demands and Execution
The limited-overs format demands quick thinking and sharp adjustments. Players must shape their approach according to the team’s needs. Washi could not match those demands on the day. This raised questions about his role and position in the lineup.
Questionable Batting Order Call
Sundar, being sent ahead of KL Rahu, added to the confusion. The decision highlighted the lack of clarity from Rahul as captain and Gambhir as coach. Without their combined approval, such a move was unlikely to happen.
Missed Opportunity for a Bigger Win
Rahul’s innings later showed that India might have secured a bigger victory margin if he had batted before Sundar. The management will need to review this episode. They must now evaluate their choices and identify the gaps that require fixing.

 The management will need to review this episode. They must now evaluate their choices and identify the gaps that require fixing.