Ex-Cricketer On IND XI At Asia Cup: 'Pick Best Openers, Finishers & Rest Can...'
India's Asia Cup squad in UAE from Sept 9-28 will focus on selecting top openers and finishers, says Priyank Panchal.
With all eyes on the squad India will select for the upcoming Asia Cup in the UAE from September 9-28, former cricketer Priyank Panchal believes the focus should be on choosing the best openers and finishers, while keeping the rest of the batting order flexible according to the situation.
India last played a T20I in February 2025, securing a 4-1 series victory against England at home. They are set to return to the shortest format after a six-month break through the Asia Cup. Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Tilak Varma have formed the top order in recent T20I series.
However, with players like Test skipper Shubman Gill, B Sai Sudharsan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul showing good performances in IPL 2025, the composition of the batting order could be interesting for the squad selected by the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee this month.
What Did Priyank Panchal Say?
'I think we obsess too much over batting positions in T20s for the sake of endless discussions and analysis. Just pick the best openers, best finishers, and the rest can float around as per the situation," Panchal wrote during an 'Ask Me Anything' session on 'X' on Sunday.
India, Pakistan, UAE, and Oman are in Group A, while Group B consists of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong. This is the first time the Asia Cup, held in the T20I format to prepare teams for the 2026 Men's T20 World Cup, will feature eight teams.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Fours stage, with the top two facing each other in the title clash in Dubai on September 28. India are the defending champions of the Asia Cup, having beaten Sri Lanka in the 2023 final held in the 50-over format in Colombo. Sri Lanka won the Asia Cup in the T20I format after defeating Pakistan in the final in 2022.
(With inputs from IANS)
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