Batting Coach Kotak: Unfixed Batting Slots Challenge India’s Depth Ahead of Asia Cup 2025.

India’s batting lineup for the upcoming T20 World Cup next year needs to be adaptable beyond the initial pair of Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma. This was the key message from batting coach Sitanshu Kotak to his team ahead of their crucial Group A match against Pakistan during the Asia Cup at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Sanju Samson’s role in the team highlights this need for flexibility. Traditionally an opener for India, Samson now finds himself adjusting to a middle-order position with Shubman Gill’s return as vice-captain at the top. Kotak emphasized, “Sanju hasn’t frequently batted at No. 5 or 6, but he is talented enough to succeed there. His position will be determined by the team’s needs, and he is open to batting anywhere.”

It’s not just Samson who is expected to adapt; players like Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel will also be utilized as strategic floaters to counter the opposition’s plans. This dynamic approach is a standard for the world’s leading T20 teams, Kotak added.

“Our batting lineup is capable of filling any position and completing the match. With four to five aggressive players, everyone understands their role and is ready to step up when required,” Kotak stated.

India’s lineup offers a balanced mix of right and left-handed batters within the top eight. While Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Samson are right-handed, Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel bring a left-handed flair, enabling a consistent left-right combination. This forces bowlers to adjust and captains to change their strategies frequently.

“For the openers and at No. 3, we consider specific players. Beyond that, all players are mentally and skill-wise prepared to bat at any position, which is a positive sign,” explained Kotak.

India’s flexible strategy proved successful in the 2024 T20 World Cup. In the final against South Africa, for instance, Axar Patel was promoted to No. 5, maintaining the left-right combination while keeping Hardik and Dube for the later stages. Axar’s quick 47 from 31 balls provided an important boost and allowed Virat Kohli to play his usual game.

With the 2026 T20 World Cup kicking off in February, India seeks to replicate this successful formula.

Published on Sep 12, 2025