Former England swashbuckling batter Kevin Pietersen questioned India’s batting order in the third T20I against England, which the hosts lost by 26 runs at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot on Tuesday. 

Pietersen was not impressed that India’s think tank sent Dhruv Jurel at number eight when the home team was chasing 172 runs for the win. The former right-hander said he is not a big fan of match-ups (right and left-hand batting combination) and the batting order should be decided on batters’ potential.

“India didn’t get the batting order right. Dhruv Jurel is an accomplished batter. Having him lower down the order for the left and right combination was not right. I’m a firm believer in your best batters batting up front,” Pietersen said on Star Sports.

On the other hand, former Indian wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel concurred with Kevin Pietersen, stating Jurel could have played a big knock.

“Left and right combination is alright till No. 4 but after that you should send your best batters. Jurel is a proper batsman. He could have constructed a big innings,” Patel said.

Meanwhile, Dhruv Jurel was dismissed after scoring two runs off four balls. Hardik Pandya also declined a single to him on the last ball of the 18th over as he wanted to take strike for the next over. Pandya was dismissed on the first ball of the 19th over after top-scoring with 40 runs off 35 balls.

India could not come up with a collective batting show and it led to the team’s downfall. The fourth T20I between India and England will take place at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Friday.