Lee lights up WBBL again with second consecutive century

Axar patel hints at flexible middle order as India gear up for England T20Is

Despite the exception of their openers, every batsman for India can anticipate having a variety of responsibilities in the T20I lineup. Before the five-match T20I series against England, India's recently appointed vice-captain, Axar Patel, hinted that this would be the case during his press conference.

The remaining Twenty20 Internationals will be held in Chennai, Rajkot, Pune, and Mumbai after the series opens in Kolkata on Wednesday.

India has effectively employed Axar as a floater in recent years. After averaging 21.26 and hitting 131.25 in all T20s until the end of 2022, he has improved his performances considerably since the beginning of 2023, averaging 30.32 and hitting 145.62. It also reflects his versatility, as India, Delhi Capitals, and Gujarat have sent him out in a range of situations. In the past two years, he has scored six half-centuries from Nos. 3, 4, 6, and 7.

With differing degrees of success, India has employed Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, and Rinku Singh as floaters in addition to Axar in recent months.

In terms of batting, it is not only me; we discussed in 2023–24 that while the openers are set, all players from Nos. 3–7 have been informed that they are free to bat at any moment and in any circumstance. Axar told reporters on Monday, "It is not simply that one hitter will bat at a specific spot." Depending on the circumstances of the game, the type of bowlers bowling at the moment, and the best matchup, our middle order will bat.

We have talked about how we can all be floaters, whether that means arriving early or, of course, finishing. Everyone from No. 3 and lower should take note of this, especially if they are playing well in the nets. It is not just for me. We will make the necessary adjustments. This is a significant aspect of batting since how you employ your hitters is so critical in Twenty20 Internationals.

Axar believed he would need to develop the ability to make tough decisions as Suryakumar Yadav's deputy in T20Is. He has also talked about it with the support staff.

Axar remarked, "It has just been a day, but there is an extra duty being part of the leadership group." There is not much pressure because the T20I team is set, but I still have to make a few minor decisions and collaborate closely with Suryakumar during the match.

"You must develop the ability to make tough choices as a member of the leadership group. We have discussed being honest about our thoughts, which will foster trust in this group.

"The bigger talks [with the coaches] are about how to accomplish it since the T20I format is so rapid that you have to make judgments quickly."

With the Champions Trophy approaching, India's immediate focus is on ODI cricket; but, after that competition concludes, T20Is will become more important. The T20 World Cup will be co-hosted by reigning champions Sri Lanka and India in February and March of 2026. Before starting their championship defense, India does not have many Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) planned other from these five matches against England. They currently have three T20Is in Bangladesh in August and five at home against South Africa later in the year.

"How we prepare for the World Cup, which isin a year, is something we want to attempt right now. "That is the primaryobjective," Axar stated. "If you start strong, you can maintainmomentum, which is why it is so important. We want to continue the energy fromour strong 2024 finish into this series.

Although we have acknowledged that the past is behind us, we still wish tocapitalize on the lessons learned. We have carried forth the ideas that helpedus succeed.

"Across all formats, transition is also something that is occurring, butthe captain and selectors must answer that call."