"Have to keep changing..." - Axar Patel's huge revelation on Rishabh Pant's demotion to No.4 in 1st T20I vs Sri Lanka

India all-rounder Axar Patel revealed the reason behind Rishabh Pant's demotion in the batting order during the first T20I of the three-match series in Sri Lanka. Axar Patel said that the team management made a strategy in the batting lineup to make life difficult for the opposition bowlers during the series opener.

Rishabh Pant batted at No. 3 throughout the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA. The left-handed batter scored 171 runs in eight matches at an average of 24.43 and a strike rate of 127.61, with a best score of 42. He was rested for the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe earlier this month.

Openers Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal provided India with a strong start in the first T20I match in Pallekele on Saturday, July 27. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav came to bat at No. 3 and scored a match-winning half-century. Pant, who batted at No. 4, scored 49 runs off 33 balls, including six fours and a six.

Have To Keep Changing The Batting Order - Axar Patel

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Axar Patel revealed the reason behind shuffling the batting order in the first T20I match. Patel said that they wanted to maintain a left-right combination to exploit this advantage. He added that they didn't want two lefties or two righties batting together.

"Our team has four lefties and four righties. If there is a left-right combination (in the middle), it becomes very hard for the bowlers to maintain the line and lengths consistently especially with rotations with singles. Now if there are four lefties, how can you use them? If you have that chance (to ensure) that there are no two lefties or two righties (in the middle) at the same time," Axar Patel said.

"If you have that chance, if you have those players in batting, then why not use them? You also have to keep changing the batting order as per the bowling options that the opposition has got," he further added.

Rishabh Pant's performance was not as impressive as it seemed. At 160/3 in the 16th over, the wicketkeeper-batter had scored 20 runs off 23 balls, with his only boundary coming from a dropped catch. The southpaw managed to hit several boundaries in the final overs to increase his strike rate to 148.48.

Have Played Under Different Coaches And Captains - Axar Patel

The all-rounder opened up about working with the new coaching staff for the Sri Lanka series. Patel stated that there won't be major changes in the team's approach despite different coaches and captains. He added that they want to maintain their current playing style.

"I have been playing for 10 years. I have played with different coaches and captains. I don't think a lot will change in the team. When we were talking in the team meeting, they also said the same thing that the coach and captain keep changing but the team remains the same and the 11 or 15 players who stay, they have to do it. They have told us that we will play the way we have been playing."

Gautam Gambhir was appointed head coach of India's team after Rahul Dravid's tenure. Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate joined Gambhir's coaching staff. The new coaching staff is set to work with the Indian team until the next edition of the ODI World Cup in 2027 in South Africa.

Also read: Paras Mhambrey opens up on differences between Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav after leadership change in India cricket