During the World Cup, Varma played a crucial role in the middle order, providing the left-handed balance that allowed India to effectively counter leg-spinners in the middle overs. His contributions were instrumental in India’s success, where they clinched the title under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav.

In the aftermath of the World Cup, attention shifted to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, which commenced shortly after. Varma’s performance, however, was modest, as he scored only 35 runs in four matches for the Mumbai Indians. This raised questions about his form and suitability for the national team.

Conversely, Shreyas Iyer, who was notably left out of the World Cup squad, made headlines with his impressive performance in the IPL. He scored 137 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 190, including a standout innings of 69 not out off 33 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 11, 2026. This resurgence has led to discussions about his potential inclusion in the T20I setup.

Rajat Patidar, who captained Royal Challengers Bangalore to their first IPL title in 2025, also made a strong case for selection. In IPL 2026, he scored 195 runs in four matches, highlighted by a blistering 20-ball 53 against the Mumbai Indians on April 12, 2026. His performance included five sixes, showcasing his explosive batting ability.

The ongoing debate centers around who will bat around Iyer in the middle order, with Varma, Iyer, and Patidar all vying for key positions. Observers have noted that Iyer is no longer the player who anchors innings quietly; instead, he has transformed into a big match specialist that the middle order has been seeking.

As the IPL progresses, the competition for spots in the T20I lineup is heating up. If Iyer takes time to regain his form, the case for Patidar’s inclusion may become increasingly compelling. The discussions surrounding Varma’s role and the overall middle-order composition will be critical as selectors prepare for future international assignments.

Overall, the performances in the IPL will play a significant role in shaping the future of India’s T20I team, with Varma’s contributions during the World Cup still fresh in the minds of selectors and fans alike.

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The Bangladesh team is currently preparing for the 2027 ODI World Cup. As part of their strategy, they are making adjustments to their batting lineup, particularly focusing on key players like Litton Das.

Change in Batting Order

In a significant development, Litton Das will bat at number five in the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan. This change has been confirmed by coach Phil Simmons, who believes that this adjustment will benefit both Das and the team.

Das has struggled in recent matches, failing to reach double figures in his last eight ODI innings. This batting order change aims to provide him with a fresh opportunity to regain his form.

Coaching Insights

Phil Simmons expressed confidence in Das’s ability to adapt, stating, “He has been comfortable batting anywhere.” He further noted, “I think he’s a lot more relaxed with his game and he sees it as an opportunity to do what the team needs of him.” Simmons emphasized that the decision was made collaboratively, saying, “We didn’t have to convince Litton for anything.”

Additionally, Simmons highlighted the challenges of performing dual roles, mentioning, “First of all, it is very difficult to keep [wicket for] 50 overs and then come and open the batting.” This context underscores the rationale behind moving Das down the order.

Notably, Das has previously batted at number five before the 2019 ODI World Cup, indicating that this position is not unfamiliar to him. His experience as one of Bangladesh’s better players of spin bowling further supports this strategic move.

The middle order has been a persistent issue for the Bangladesh team, and this change is seen as a potential solution to strengthen their batting lineup as they face Pakistan in a three-match ODI series.

Looking Ahead

As the series approaches, observers will be keen to see how this change impacts Das’s performance and the overall dynamics of the Bangladesh team. Phil Simmons remains optimistic about the potential positive outcomes of this adjustment.

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