India, Dec. 12 -- India's surprising decision to send captain Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4, instead of his usual one-down role, raised eyebrows during the team's 51-run defeat to South Africa in the second T20I in New Chandigarh. Former cricketers Dale Steyn and Robin Uthappa delivered a sharp rebuke to head coach Gautam Gambhir, warning India against such late-stage experimentation ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Chasing 214, India lost vice-captain Shubman Gill to his first-ever international golden duck in the opening over. With the team under early pressure, Suryakumar was expected to walk in at No. 3, but in a surprising call, Axar Patel was promoted instead.

The move failed as Axar managed a run-a-ball 21. Suryakumar, already under press...