Rohit Sharma being pushed down to number three against New Zealand was an indication that the Indian team management did not trust the star opener to effectively counter the inswing of Trent Boult, feels former captain Sunil Gavaskar.

Rohit was pushed to number three to accommodate Ishan Kishan at the top of the order on Sunday.

At the start of the innings, Rohit is a tad vulnerable to the incoming ball as it was seen in the Pakistan clash. The move failed and so did the entire Indian batting line-up as the side laboured to 110 for seven in 20 overs. New Zealand chased down the target in 14.3 overs to hand India another crushing loss.

“Ishan Kishan is a hit-or-miss player and it is better if a batsman like him walks in at No.4 or No.5. He could then play according to the situation of the game. Now what has happened is that Rohit Sharma has been told that we don’t trust you to face the left-arm fast bowling of Trent Boult,” Gavaskar told India Today.

Ishan Kishan on Sunday Getty Images

“If you do that to a player who has been playing at a position for so many years, he himself will think that maybe he doesn’t have the ability. If Ishan Kishan had made 70-odd runs we would have applauded. But when the ploy doesn’t work, you are going to be criticised,” he added.

Kishan, who had been picked in the squad as a reserve opener, came to open alongside KL Rahul. Skipper Kohli moved down a spot and batted at four.

Gavaskar did not agree with the changes in the batting order.

“I don’t know if it is a fear of failure but I know that whatever changes they made to the batting order did not work.

“Rohit Sharma is such a great batsman and he has been sent in at No.3. Kohli himself, who has made so many runs at No.3, demotes himself to No.4. A young player like Ishan Kishan has been given the responsibility of opening the batting,” said Gavaskar.

KP lends support

Former England batter Kevin Pietersen on Monday backed the under-fire Indians, saying the players are not robots and need fans’ support all the time.

“In sport, one wins and one loses. No players takes the field to lose. Representing your country is the biggest honour. Please understand that sports persons are not robots and they need support all the time,” Pietersen tweeted.