Axar Patel Talks About India’s Flexible Batting Strategy Ahead of T20I Series Against England

Team India are all set to take on England for the five-match T20I series against England. The series will start on 23rd January in Kolkata. Ahead of the series, newly appointed T20I vice-captain Axar Patel has shed light on India’s middle-order flexibility.

India Ready to Test Flexible Batting Approach in T20Is

“Our openers are fixed, but from Nos. 3 to 7, anyone can bat in any situation,” Axar revealed during a press conference on Monday. “It depends on the game’s needs, the bowlers at the time, and match-ups that work well.”

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India’s middle order has seen players like Axar himself, Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Rinku Singh being deployed as floaters in recent games. Axar, whose batting numbers have significantly improved over the past two years, has adapted well to this flexible strategy.

Leadership Role Brings New Responsibilities

Axar Patel, serving as Suryakumar Yadav’s deputy in T20Is, acknowledged the added responsibility of being part of the leadership group. “It’s just been a day, but there’s an extra layer of responsibility now,” Axar said.

While he described the T20I side as “settled,” he acknowledged the importance of quick decision-making. “In T20s, everything happens so fast that you have to think on your feet. We’ve discussed how to handle such scenarios and make decisions quickly. We’ve spoken about sharing honest opinions to build trust. As leaders, we need to take tough calls when required,” he added.

Building Momentum for T20 World Cup 2026

India’s current focus remains on the Champions Trophy. However, Axar noted that the Indian team is also trying to prepare for the T20 World Cup in 2026. 

“The World Cup is coming up in a year, so we’re trying to fine-tune our approach now. Momentum is a big thing in cricket. We ended 2024 on a high, and we want to carry that into this series,” Axar said.

India’s T20I schedule is sparse this year, with only eight matches after this series—three in Bangladesh in August and five at home against South Africa. Axar highlighted the need to make the most of these games to prepare for the title defense.

A Flexible Approach for Success

India’s strategy of using batters as floaters is aimed at maximizing adaptability in a fast-paced format. Axar himself has flourished in this role, with his improved batting numbers—averaging over 30 and striking at 145 since 2023—underscoring his versatility.

The vice-captain is optimistic about the team’s direction. “We’ve discussed learning from both wins and losses. Transition is part of the game, and we’re moving forward with the positives we’ve gained,” Axar concluded.

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