Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik didn't hold back during commentary as he watched India's batting order crumble in the third T20I against England at Trent Bridge. What left him completely baffled was the team management's decision to send pacer Harshit Rana ahead of all-rounder Shivam Dube when India were reeling at 52 for 5. "Are you serious? Harshit Rana ahead of Shivam Dube? You can't be serious," Karthik said live on air, his disbelief palpable. The decision came after Axar Patel was dismissed on the final ball of the fifth over.

With the scoreboard reading 52 for 5 and the chase already in deep trouble, India needed a batter who could steady the ship and maybe even counterattack. Instead, they sent in a fast bowler who has barely any batting credentials at the international level. Dube eventually walked out a couple of overs later, but by then the damage was done. He managed just two runs off four balls before falling to Josh Tongue. Karthik questioned the thinking behind the move. "Do they not trust Dube enough to send him in at this stage? Instead, they've promoted Harshit Rana ahead of him.

I'm not sure that's the right way to go about it," he added. The gamble, if it was one backfired spectacularly. India were bowled out for a pathetic 76 in just 11.4 overs, handing England a 125-run victory. It was India's heaviest-ever defeat in T20Is by runs. Earlier, Phil Salt had smashed a 44-ball 70 to power England to a competitive total of 201 for 7. The hosts now lead the five-match series 2-0, with the first game having been washed out. For India, the loss raises serious questions about their batting depth and tactical decisions.

Chasing 202, the visitors never got going. England's pace attack struck regularly, and wickets tumbled in clusters, leaving no room for any partnership to develop. With just two matches left, India now face an uphill battle to avoid a series defeat. And the management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir, will have plenty to answer for, starting with that baffling batting order shuffle.