T20 World Cup 2026: Was promoting Sundar ahead of Pandya, Dube and Rinku for left-right balance a tactical misstep?
Defending champions India face an uphill task to qualify for the semi-finals after being comprehensively beaten by South Africa in Ahmedabad at the T20 World Cup 2026. Controversy surrounded the side right from the toss, after captain Suryakumar Yadav revealed that vice-captain Axar Patel had been left out of the playing XI to accommodate Washington Sundar.
SKY termed it a “tactical change.” However, Sundar bowled just two overs in the match, conceding 17 runs without taking a wicket. What raised more eyebrows was the left-handed batter’s promotion to No. 5, ahead of in-form batters Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube.
The move, seemingly made to maintain a right-left batting combination in the middle order, did not pay off. Sundar managed only 11 runs off 11 balls, and the experiment backfired. Critics have labelled the decision a “silly move,” arguing that it was done purely for the sake of preserving a left-right combination rather than backing players in form.
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Possible reason behind Sundar’s promotion in batting order
Having a left-right batting combination can benefit the batting side, as bowlers are forced to constantly adjust their line and length. This can lead to errors from the bowlers, allowing batters to capitalise on those mistakes. If this was the rationale behind promoting Sundar to maintain a left-right combination alongside SKY in the middle, the move ultimately backfired, as Sundar failed to deliver with the bat.
The 17-run stand off 17 balls for the fourth wicket between the two did little to help the team’s cause. The decision drew criticism, especially with in-form batters like Dube, Pandya and Rinku Singh waiting in the wings, who could have helped seize the momentum alongside captain SKY.
India have experimented with the left-right combination in this World T20 and in bilateral series prior to the tournament, but have not achieved the desired results.
There is also a possibility that Washington Sundar was promoted to No. 5 because of his experience on the Ahmedabad pitch in the IPL, which management may have believed could make a difference against South Africa. However, it was not meant to be.
Move destined to fail against well-prepared Proteas
The strategy of maintaining a left-right batting combination might work against a lesser-competitive side, but against a strong team like South Africa, it was always going to be a tougher proposition. Due credit must go to South Africa for doing their homework and coming up with clear plans for each Indian batter.
For South Africa’s pace bowlers, who are consistent with their line and length, it hardly matters whether they are bowling to a left-hander or a right-hander in a particular over. They back their preparation and execute specific plans for each batter.
As a result, India failed to benefit despite having the Sundar-SKY left-right combination in the middle. In fact, India might have been better served by sending an in-form batter like Dube or Pandya to partner SKY and attempt to seize the momentum in their favour.
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Australia fell into similar trap
Constant chopping and changing of the batting order rarely helps any team. Australia, for instance, were forced to reshuffle their batting due to injuries to their captain and opener Mitchell Marsh during the World T20. They eventually ended up getting knocked out of the tournament at the group stage itself. By the time Marsh and his opening partner Travis Head reunited at the top, it was too late for Australia to mount a comeback.
On similar lines, India seem to be falling into a comparable trap, where abrupt promotions are made without clear logic or reasoning. Recently, Axar was promoted to No. 3 in the very first over of the powerplay against South Africa in the New Chandigarh T20I in December 2025, and India slumped to a 51-run defeat. Axar, who had not batted in such situations before, struggled to find rhythm, making a painful 21 off 21 balls.
The way forward
India need not adopt a strategy merely for the sake of it. Two left-handed or two right-handed batters can be just as effective as a right-left combination. The key lies in clarity of roles and backing players in form.
However, India may also be wary of promoting another right-handed batter, considering the line-up is already stacked with left-handers who are vulnerable against quality off-spin. That could be a factor influencing such tactical calls.
Whatever the reasoning, India must trust their batters (both left & right-handed) to deliver, rather than overindulging in unnecessary tactical experiments.
Read More: Numbers show India’s LHB-dominant batting line up has been vulnerable vs off-spin in T20 WC 2026
