Former Indian wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik expressed his surprise after Harshit Rana was promoted ahead of Shivam Dube in the third T20I against England at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, on Tuesday. Rana was sent at number seven, whereas Dube came out to bat at number eight in the run chase of 202.

While Rana was dismissed after scoring nine runs, Dube could only manage two runs before he was sent back to the dressing room. India was eventually skittled out for a paltry score of 76 tuns and suffered a 125-run loss, which is their biggest defeat in T20Is.

“For a start, it feels like India’s middle order looks rather unsettled for a world champion side. Why is there a collapse happening way too often? Harshit Rana was sent ahead of Shivam Dube, really? You’re telling me in a chase of 200, there is a better chance that Harshit Rana could come and bat in the powerplay and take you over the line ahead of a Shivam Dube? I understand a left-right combination, but will this lack of confidence in Shivam Dube batting against high pace or powerplay make him doubt himself?” Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz.

On the other hand, Karthik also shed light on Sanju Samson’s exclusion. Samson managed scores of 5, 0, and 1 in the last three innings and he was left out of the playing XI.

“Take the case of Sanju Samson, three matches after the World Cup, in which he was the player of the tournament, he’s been dropped. Though Gautam Gambhir has come out and said his form is a concern, they are not happy with that, and hence, communication has been sent to Sanju. I hope Sanju accepts and understands the situation,” Dinesh Karthik concluded.

The fourth T20I between England and India will be played at Bristol, County Ground on Thursday.