Why Harshit Rana is Batting Above Axar Patel During ENG vs IND 1st T20I?

Team India is facing England during the first T20I of the five-match series at the Chester-le-Street, Riverside Ground, Durham. After Iyer won the toss and elected to bat, India scored 189-7 in 20 overs.
However, there was a moment in the match that surprised the fans and the cricket pundits. The Indian team management decided to send Harshit Rana at No. 7 above the likes of Axar Patel, one of the best all-rounders in the world. Let's find out the thinking behind India's strange decision.

Why Harshit Rana is Batting Above Axar Patel?

While nothing was mentioned, Harshit Rana batting order in the ENG vs IND 1st T20I was likely changed due to his hitting ability. Even Dinesh Karthik mentioned in the commentary box that Harshit's better big-hitting ability might have forced the team management to send him at No. 7.

Axar Patel is arguably a better player with the bat than Harshit but is not known to use the long handle, especially when few balls are left. Rana can strike it big from the first ball and even scored crucial runs in the last T20I against Ireland.

While batting at No. 8 during the second T20I against Ireland, Harshit Rana scored 21 off just 10 balls, almost taking India to an improbable win. However, he was dismissed off the penultimate ball of the match as India lost by 1 run.

Plan Fails For Team India

The move to send Harshit above Axar didn't work well for India as he was dismissed for a duck. Playing his second ball of the match, Rana came down the track but was stumped by England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler off the bowling of Adil Rashid.

Meanwhile, Axar Patel came at No. 8 and was the last batter dismissed for India. While both of them were unable to contribute much with the bat, Harshit and Rana will have a key role to play with the ball. Both are likely to complete their full quota as well.

With India posting a competitive score, the match is expected to be exciting in the second innings. However, there was a rain delay during the innings break which forced the match to be delayed. It will help the home side as they will know their target better.