Former wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has supported India’s approach of maintaining a highly flexible batting order in T20Is. He stated that the Men in Blue are aiming to prepare as many batters as possible to handle different scenarios they might face in the 2026 T20 World Cup.
India defeated Bangladesh by 41 runs in their Asia Cup 2025 Super 4 clash in Dubai on Wednesday, September 24. After being sent in to bat, India managed 168-8, but their bowlers dominated, restricting Bangladesh to 127. The team faced some criticism for sending Shivam Dube to bat at No. 3, which disrupted the batting lineup’s usual rhythm.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Dinesh Karthik declined to criticize India’s unpredictable batting order. Instead, he praised the flexibility, calling it a smart strategy. He explained the reasoning behind Dube’s promotion to No. 3, as well as Tilak Varma and Axar Patel batting ahead of Sanju Samson, elaborating on the tactical logic of these moves.
“Shivam Dube came in when Rishad Hossain was bowling, to take him down. Didn’t happen today. And then they sent Tilak Varma and Axar Patel because Nasum Ahmed had overs left. The fact is that they are making sure that they are matching up to whatever is being given to them. You want to use the flexibility, the experience in these kind of matches. You can’t suddenly do it in the World Cup.”
“Team To Rotate Batting Order Ahead Of 2026 T20 World Cup”- Dinesh Karthik
The former India wicketkeeper suggested that the team is likely to keep rotating the batting order as they prepare for the 2026 T20 World Cup and added:
“Very much so. That’s the advantage of having all-rounders. It’s not called experimentation; I’d use the word flexibility. They want to make sure that at certain points of game, depending on whom they are predicting to bowl, they are bringing a match up with the bat, saying, ‘we have this to counter your plans’.
“I feel it’s a very clever way to go about it. What you need is a group of experienced players, who understand and adapt according to where they are sent,” the 40-year-old added.
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