Team India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has revealed his strategy for the shortest format, stressing adaptability and aggressive intent. According to Gambhir, the batting order beyond the openers doesn’t need strict adherence, giving the team freedom to react to match scenarios.

He emphasised that even seasoned players must embrace flexibility, noting that the coaching staff’s job is to shape a versatile and adaptable T20I squad.

“This has been our approach from the start. Since I became head coach in Sri Lanka, nothing has changed,” Gambhir said.

“In T20Is, batting positions are mostly overrated, except for the two openers. After that, the order can change because it’s not just the runs that matter, but the impact you make. Many fail to separate runs from influence. In a 120-ball game, every delivery is an opportunity, and every shot must create maximum effect. That’s why we’ve maintained a flexible batting order from day one, and that’s the approach we want to stick to,” Gambhir explained.

Gambhir highlights that in T20Is, influence in key situations matters more than stats.

“We aren’t focused on averages or strike-rates. What matters is the impact a player can create in a given situation, and that’s going to be crucial for this team,” he said.

The Indian head coach faced scrutiny for his frequent changes in the batting line-up, as the team tested different combinations throughout the recent T20I series Down Under.