Follow UsIndian all-rounder Axar Patel said that the team management's communication regarding the middle order has been clear. Barring the openers, all other batters have been advised to act as floaters and come in to bat, depending on the situation.
Axar himself has batted everywhere between four and eight for India over the last couple of years, and he expects nothing different in the upcoming T20 International (T20I) series against England, starting January 22 (Wednesday) in Kolkata.
"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," Axar said at a press conference on January 20 (Monday).
"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.
"We've spoken about 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. In T20Is, how you use your batters is so crucial, so this is an important factor in batting."
Axar has been elevated as the team's vice-captain and believes as part of that, he has to learn to make the tough calls. "It has just been a day, but as part of the leadership group there is an extra responsibility," Axar said.
"The T20I side is settled, so there's not much pressure, but there are small decisions that need making, and during the game, I need to work closely with Suryakumar.
"As part of the leadership group, you have to learn to take harsh decisions. We have spoken about sharing our genuine opinions and that will help build trust in this group. The T20I format is such that it is so fast that you have to make decisions quickly, so the larger conversations [with the coaches] is about how to do that."
India play eight more T20Is after the England series, and Axar does not want to waste any time in preparing for the T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka next year. "The World Cup is coming up in a year so how we approach leading up to that, we want to try it from now itself. That's the main target," Axar said.
"Momentum is a big thing because if you start well, you can carry it. We finished 2024 well, so we want to carry the momentum into this series, too.
"But we've discussed that the past is past, however, we want to move ahead with the positives we gained from there. We have taken forward the points that brought us success.
"Transition is also something happening across all formats, but that's a call for the selectors and captain to take."
After the five T20Is, the two teams will clash in a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series from February 6. That will be the final set of matches for both sides before the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.