Team India’s constant shuffle between No. 3–7 before T20 World Cup 2026 — tactical game plan or selection headache?
Since the start of 2025, Team India have won 12 out of 16 T20Is, achieving a win-loss ratio of 3.00. Heading into the fifth and final T20I against Australia on November 08 at the Gabba, the Suryakumar Yadav-led side is 2-1 up in the series. Despite being 1-0 down after the second game at the MCG, the visitors showed clinical performances in successive games to make a strong comeback.
However, the most baffling part of the three games was India’s batting line-up. They have tried different players in various positions in all three contests. This could be a plan to be unpredictable and prepare for every scenario ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup. The core agenda of the defending champions is to be flexible according to the situation and the opponent’s bowling line-up, which is really vital in the modern generation.
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India’s flexible batting line-up of no. 3-7 ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
Ahead of India’s five-match home T20I series against England earlier this year, the Blue Brigade’s then vice-captain, Axar Patel, explained their unique preparation for the World Cup. He reckoned that the openers would be the only ones with a fixed slot in their T20 line-up, and the batting order would follow up with ‘multiple floaters.’
“Right from the start of 2024, we had decided to have a fixed opening slot, and from No. 3 to No. 7, everyone has been told to be flexible based on the situation, combinations, and match-ups. There is no fixed position where a particular batter will always play. It’s the same for everyone in that range (between Nos 3 to 7), depending on who is having a great day.” Axar said in January, 2025.
The Blue Brigade has gone with the same planning even in the ongoing Australia series. In the opening game at the Manuka Oval, captain Suryakumar Kumar batted at number three and smashed an unbeaten 39 runs in the rain-hit fixture. However, in the following encounter, Sanju Samson got a promotion to number three and ended with a poor knock of two runs. During the contest, Shivam Dube arrived at number eight, behind Harshit Rana.
Subsequently, for the third clash in Hobart, Sky returned to the number three, followed by Tilak Varma, Axar, and Washington Sundar. Sundar’s unbeaten 49 runs shouldered the two-time T20 World champions over the line. But in the next game at Carrara Oval, the Southpaw was demoted to number seven. Instead, the management sent Shivam Dube at three as the left-handed batter struggled for his 22 runs in 18 balls.
This is a prime example of how much the Indian management chopped and changed their batting order in the series. Only Rinku Singh and Nitish Reddy haven’t featured in the ongoing series down under yet. But there would be a possibility of them coming out to bat at any position in the upcoming assignments.
Since the start of 2025, Tilak is India’s leading T20I run-getter from batting position number three to seven. He has registered 380 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 127.94 with two fifties. Suryakumar although has wrestled for his 184 runs at 15.33 with the best score of an unbeaten 47 runs.
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India keep cards open for different batting line-ups ahead of T20 World Cup 2026
In T20s, one good or bad over can change the equation of any game in the blink of an eye. Consequently, India have tried to be flexible and prepare for different combinations. With a variable batting line-up and combinations prepared, India could pick their squad depending on the opposition and condition of the venue.
The first scenario for the Blue Brigade is to pick both Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh in the eleven. Both are experienced campaigners and can bowl in any situation of the game. Arshdeep is, in fact, India’s leading T20I wicket-taker in history with 105 wickets in just 67 innings. Meanwhile, Bumrah’s record of 99 T20I wickets in 77 innings at an economy of 6.36 would feel unreal.
Along with Bumrah and Arshdeep, India will have the luxury of Hardik Pandya’s four overs. Their top four- Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma, Suryakumar, and Tilak- don’t bowl much in T20Is. This leads to them requiring seven bowling options in the line-up.
Pandya and Axar are almost confirmed to feature in the national side’s T20I eleven. That means the toss-up for the potential third all-rounder will be between Sundar and Dube. Kuldeep Yadav and Varun Chakravarthy are expected to lead India’s spin department. Meanwhile, Harshit Rana could warm the benches even if he gets the nod.
India have also tried to maintain their right-left combination in the recent T20Is. During their previous game in Gold Coast, they sent Dube after Abhishek’s dismissal, while in Melbourne, Samson walked out to replace Gill. India perhaps have kept the cards open to slot Rinku at number three. With only 12 weeks left for the T20 World Cup 2026, India are leaving no stone unturned in terms of various combinations.
Their next T20I clash will be at the Gabba on November 08 against Australia. Later, the focus for Suryakumar’s army will shift to the home series against South Africa. The opening game of the five-match series against the Proteas will be on December 09 at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.
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