"It probably was not the worst decision, it was something that was forced upon them" - Dinesh Karthik weighs in on Sarfaraz Khan batting at No. 8 

Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik offered his opinion across multiple perspectives regarding the decision to send Sarfaraz Khan to bat at No. 8 during the ongoing third Test against New Zealand. The right-handed batter had to wait for six wickets to fall in the first innings before he availed the opportunity to bat on his home ground in Mumbai.

Having primarily batted for India in the middle order in his young career so far, Sarfaraz was held back to push out the left-handed batters Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, and Ravindra Jadeja, as right-handed Shubman Gill held the other end.

Coming out to bat in the 48th over, Sarfaraz Khan could not make an impression as he was dismissed for a four-ball duck. He edged an Ajaz Patel delivery to Tom Blundell as India crumbled to 263 runs, gaining a crucial lead in the process.

Dinesh Karthik opined that the decision to persist with the left-right combination was justified because of how effective it was.

"The left-right combination - it was working till it lasted. When Rishabh Pant got out, there was a feeling that the left-right combination would be continued and it will help India. So, sending Jadeja was not such a bad move. Because when Jadeja fell and there two right-handers got at the crease, that was the only time when wickets fell quickly. So, it probably was not the worst decision. It was something that was forced upon them," Karthik said (via Cricbuzz on X). (1:20)

"In this case, I would definitely cut a bit of slack for Gambhir because the evidence was there that left hand-right hand combination out in the middle was helping the side," he added.

It remains to be seen if India tinker with the batting order for the sake of the left-right combination during the run chase in the final innings.

"The one thing as a batter that you want is the comfort of batting in the same position" - Dinesh Karthik

Karthik also opined that the demotion in the batting order was difficult and harsh on Sarfaraz Khan as it forced him to counter an unfamiliar scenario.

In the same interview, Dinesh Karthik said:

"I hope not, but it does. Can't say no to that. The one thing as a batter that you want, is the comfort of batting in the same position. To an extent, a number above or below, you are able to adjust. But, to go three spots below, your whole mindset changes, it feels very different."

"Whereas at No.5, you are at that stage where you know what to do. But straightaway walking in at No.8, which I don't think he must have done in a long time in red-ball cricket, would have been very different," he added.

New Zealand were reduced to 171-9 at Stumps on Day 2 in Mumbai. The visitors have a lead of 143 runs and will be hoping to stretch the figure to make a strong bid for a historic whitewash in the subcontinent.