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New Delhi: India's flexible batting approach in T20Is might not have produced convincing results yet, but gets backing from players.
India promoted Axar Patel to No.3, who managed 21 runs off 21 balls in their 51-run loss to South Africa in the 2nd T20I in New Chandigarh as the hosts were bowled out for 162 in 19.1 overs in chase of 214 target.
It enabled the Proteas to square the five match series 1-1 but Verma the team have adopted this approach to cope with demands of different situations.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir was questioned for what many deemed as unnecessary changes that disrupted the batting order.
Verma scored 62 off 34 balls but said that the approach won’t be done away with as apart from the openers everyone is ready to bat anywhere when asked to.
“Absolutely, everyone is flexible except the openers. I’m ready to bat at No. 3, 4, 5 or 6, wherever the team wants me. Everyone knows the batting order is flexible,” he said.
Verma also endorsed Patel’s promotion, reminding of the left hander’s 31-ball 47 when asked to bat at No. 5 in last year’s T20 World Cup final against South Africa in Barbados, adding that non-openers are prepared to bat anywhere as per demands.
“It depends on the situation. You’ve already seen this with Axar Patel in the World Cup—he went up the order and did well. One-off games happen,” he said.
“At that time, whatever feels best for the team, everyone keeps the team first. No one thinks about individual positions. I’ve said I’m ready to bat anywhere for the team, and all players are thinking the same way.”
The third T20I will be held on Sunday in Dharamshala, where India lost their only T20I against South Africa in 2015.
India have won twice and lost matches at the venue with one match, against South Africa in 2019, got abandoned.
