IND vs ENG: India vice-captain Axar Patel hints at floating middle order in T20I team

(Courtesy : Axar Patel/Instagram)
Axar Patel has been appointed as India’s vice-captain for the upcoming IND vs ENG T20I series.
England‘s tour of India will begin on January 22 in Kolkata. The tour includes a five-match T20I series followed by three ODIs.
The tour will serve as a great opportunity for both teams to experiment with their squads ahead of the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in February-March 2025.
India have been in great form in T20I cricket lately, winning their second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024 in the West Indies. Axar Patel, who played a key role in the T20 World Cup 2024 final with the bat, has emerged as one of the key players in the side, often used as a floater in the batting order, especially against spinners.
Recently appointed as vice-captain, he has shared his thoughts on India’s batting order ahead of the crucial series.
Axar Patel on India’s middle order for IND vs ENG T20I series
Speaking at the press conference before the first T20I in Kolkata, India’s vice-captain Axar Patel stated that during the 2023-24 season, the team decided that only the openers’ position is fixed. Everyone from No. 3 to No. 7 can bat anywhere based on the match situation and matchups.
He said, “Batting wise, it’s not just with me, but we spoke in 2023-24 itself that the openers are fixed, but everyone from Nos. 3 to 7 have been told that they can come into bat anytime, in any situation. It is not just that one batter will bat at a particular position,“
“Our middle order will come to bat depending on the match situation, what kind of bowlers are bowling at the time, which match-up works well.“
The Indian all-rounder further emphasized that the middle order is flexible, with players rotating based on how they are performing in the nets. He added that the batting order can change depending on the situation and individual form.
He concluded, “We’ve spoken about that, how we can all be floaters, be it coming in early or obviously finishing. This is not just for me, but for everyone from No. 3 and below, especially if they are in good touch in the nets. We will adjust accordingly.“
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