KOLKATA: 'Flexibility' seems to be the key word for India in the T20I set-up, according to new vice-captain Axar Patel. The spin-bowling allrounder, who himself has been used as a floater in the batting order, said except the opening duo, all the batters have been asked to stay ready to bat at any position in the shortest format.
"Batting-wise, we spoke in 2023-24 itself that the openers are fixed, but everyone from No. 3 to No. 7 have been told that they can come in to bat any time, in any situation. There's no particular position for any batter as such," Axar said. "Our middle order will come in depending on the match situation, what kind of bowlers are bowling at the time, which match-up works well," he added. No wonder Axar, Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar and Rinku Singh have played in different positions in recent time.
As for Axar, having represented India in all three formats, acting as deputy to skipper Suryakumar Yadav is a new role for the left-arm spinner. "Obviously we have a settled T20 side, there is not much pressure," he felt.
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"It has just been a day, but as part of the leadership group there is an extra responsibility. 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," he said.
However, he played down the role of players in this transition phase of Indian cricket. "Transition is also something happening across all formats, but that's a call for the selectors and captain to take," he remarked, adding: "It's always about the team combination."