ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Is India too obsessed with left-right combination?

India’s recent 3-0 clean sweep over England in the T20I series showcased their dominance, but it also raised questions about some of the tactical decisions made during the games. One decision that particularly caught attention was the promotion of all-rounder Axar Patel up the batting order, which limited the opportunities for top-order batter KL Rahul. While some experts and fans were puzzled by the move, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir came forward to defend the choice. Gambhir explained that the decision to promote Axar Patel was made with a specific strategic intent. In modern-day cricket, the right-left batting combination is considered crucial in disrupting the bowler’s rhythm and creating challenges for the opposition.

India preferring too much of left-right combination for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025

By promoting Axar to an earlier spot in the order, the Indian team aimed to maintain this dynamic and keep the bowlers guessing. Gambhir emphasized that such decisions were based on the team’s broader tactical approach and the need to adapt to various match situations. While the move may have raised eyebrows at first, it contributed to India’s overall success in the series. The team’s ability to experiment with different batting combinations while maintaining their dominant form is a testament to their flexibility and tactical acumen, with Gambhir's leadership coming into play in making such strategic choices.

Throughout the T20I series, India delivered outstanding performances with both bat and ball. The third match, in particular, was a one-sided affair as India posted a massive total of 356 runs. This total was anchored by a superb century from Shubman Gill (112) and strong half-centuries from Shreyas Iyer (78) and Virat Kohli (52). England started their chase with aggression, but their hopes were dashed when their openers fell early, triggering a collapse in the batting order.

India’s bowlers, including Arshdeep Singh (2/33) and Harshit Rana (2/31), capitalized on the situation by dismantling England's middle order. The hosts eventually wrapped up a comprehensive 142-run victory, showcasing their all-round strength. Head coach Gautam Gambhir, reflecting on the series, questioned the conventional approach of stacking a lineup with only right-handed batters. He emphasized that team decisions should be based on match situations and the impact of players rather than relying solely on averages and stats. This forward-thinking approach allowed India to experiment with their strategies while still maintaining dominance, further solidifying their position as a formidable side.

"That's the way cricket is meant to be played. I know a lot of people talk about it, but that's the way we got to play the game, and that's the way cricket should be played. It's not about the batting order, it's about who can create what impact. And it's about just if you have the option of putting a quality left-hand batter in the middle; why won't you do that? Why would you want to have top five as right-handers," stated India head coach Gautam Gambhir during the post-match press conference. 

"We don't look at averages and stats and all that stuff. We look at who can deliver more at that number. And Axar has done fabulously well. Both the games [in which] he got the opportunity, he delivered for us. I know there will always be talk - there will always be people talking about it - but I think that's the way we want to go in the future as well," he further added.

Gautam Gambhir’s preference for maintaining a left-right batting combination is well known. During his time as mentor for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, the team saw a significant increase in right-left partnerships, rising from 58% in the 2022-23 season to 74% in 2024. However, Gambhir clarified that this wasn’t an obsession but a tactical move to enhance the team’s balance and overall potential. Despite being left out for a few chases, KL Rahul remains India’s first-choice wicketkeeper, as confirmed by Gambhir.

Another notable experiment was India’s consideration of including Yashasvi Jaiswal in the playing XI. Shreyas Iyer shared that he was initially set to sit out for Jaiswal, but an injury to Virat Kohli gave him an opportunity, which he seized with a match-winning performance. Gambhir reassured that Iyer was always part of India’s plans, with the team aiming to rotate players in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy. This approach helped India manage player workload and adapt their lineup strategically, ensuring they were ready for the upcoming tournament.

"He wasn't supposed to be benched throughout the series. We wanted to give Yashasvi a go in the first game and see what he can bring to the table because he was in really good form in Australia. So we wanted to see what kind of an innings can he play. I know you can't judge someone by one innings, but we always knew that Shreyas is going to be an important player for us. What he's done at No. 4, be it the World Cup or forget about even the World Cup, he's just an important player," Gambhir concluded.