IND vs SA | Graeme Smith calls Axar Patel 'bits and pieces batter'

India have not had the best of times against South Africa since the start of 2022, having lost all their contests so far. The ongoing 5-match T20I series sees home side India trail visitors South Africa 0-2 after being handed crushing defeats in Delhi and Cuttack.

Former players have questioned India's batting order preferences after they promoted all-rounder Axar Patel ahead of veteran Dinesh Karthik.

Former South African captain Graeme Smith has lashed out at India's team management for sending Patel, who is an iffy batter ahead of finisher Karthik.

Speaking to official broadcasters, Smith said, "In what world does an all-rounder, who is a bits and pieces batter, walk in ahead of a frontline batter? I just do not understand this.

Dinesh Karthik is one of the most experienced cricketers in India; how many games he has played for India, over 160. Never mind the IPL, anything else he has played. How can you send Axar Patel ahead of him? This is just mind-blowing for me."

Karthik's late blitz helped India reach a respectable total of 148 runs in the second T20I, which the Temba Bavuma-led side chased quite comfortably, thanks to Heinrich Klaasen's 46-ball 81.

Former legend Sunil Gavaskar also raised eyebrows over this move of demoting Karthik, who is making a comeback into the side after an impressive Indian Premier League for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

"Definitely, definitely. There is no question about it (on whether Dinesh Karthik should have come ahead of Axar Patel). Sometimes there are these labels like a finisher.

And when you talk about a finisher, you think he will come only after the 15th over. He can't come in the 12th or the 13th over. And we have seen these happen in the IPL as well. A lot of teams have only kept their big hitters for the last 4-5 overs," he expressed.

With both teams clashing at Visakhapatnam this evening, a win for South Africa means their unbeaten streak over India in India continues, while a win for the hosts means they live to fight another day.