We can all be floaters – Axar Patel on the dynamic stature of India’s batting order against England

Flexibility has been one of the key elements in Axar Patel's batting arsenal. The southpaw has been modulated as per the needs of the game and he continues to be a major batting force in the Indian unit. His crucial 31-ball-47 in the 2024 T20 World Cup final helped India carve a solid total on the board which was successfully defended by the bowlers, highlighting his immense potential with the bat.

As India gear up for the upcoming T20Is against England, the hosts’ vice-captain Axar Patel opened up on the possible tweaks in the batting order, dropping in an undercurrent of how his batting might be used throughout the span of the innings.

Talking in the pre-match presser ahead of India’s first T20I on 22nd January, Axar 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.”

Adding further light on the mercurial nature of the batters’ positions, Patel added, “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. In T20Is, how you use your batters is so crucial, so this is an important factor in batting."