Gautam Gambhir, the head coach of the India National Cricket Team, has sparked discussion by declaring that batting orders in T20 International (T20I) cricket are "overrated". Gambhir, who took over as head coach following India's T20 World Cup victory in 2024, is emphasizing the importance of adaptability and impact in the fast-paced format of the game.

In a recent interview with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Gambhir outlined his vision for the T20I side, stressing a dynamic approach where players are willing to adapt to different match situations. He stated that his team would primarily focus on keeping the opening positions fixed, with the rest of the batting order subject to change based on the game's demands.

"That has been the ideology from day one. When I took over as head coach in Sri Lanka till now, it has not changed," Gambhir said. "I think batting orders are very overrated, except the two openers. The rest, I think, shuffle because it's not the amount of runs that matters in T20I cricket. It's the impact that matters. People sometimes miscalculate or do not differentiate between runs and impact".

Gambhir elaborated that in T20 cricket, where every ball is an event, maximizing the impact of each delivery is crucial. He believes that a fluid batting order allows the team to optimize the use of its resources and adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of a T20 match.

"In T20 cricket, it's all about impact," Gambhir explained. "It's 120 balls. Every ball is an event. Every ball needs to have the maximum impact that we can have. And that's the reason from day one, I think it has been a very fluid batting order".

This philosophy contrasts with the traditional approach of assigning fixed batting positions based on averages and strike rates. Gambhir clarified that his team does not want to be constrained by such metrics but rather focus on the impact a player can make in a specific situation.

"We don't want to play this game thinking about averages and strike-rates and all that stuff," he said. "We are thinking about how much impact a player can make in what situation. I think that's going to be very important for this team".

Gambhir's emphasis on flexibility has already been evident in recent matches, including the T20I series in Australia, where India experimented with its batting lineup. Players like Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson were promoted to No. 3, while Harshit Rana was given a chance to bat at No. 7. Gambhir has faced some criticism for frequently changing the batting order, but he maintains that it is essential to evolve with the game.

"I think, with time, T20 cricket will evolve. If we, as coaches, don't evolve, we will be behind the eight ball," Gambhir stated. "We want to be ahead of the times in T20I cricket".

Gambhir also highlighted the importance of having players who can contribute with both bat and ball, giving the team greater balance and options. He specifically mentioned Axar Patel and Washington Sundar as examples of players who can play critical roles due to their all-round abilities.

With the T20 World Cup approaching in February, Gambhir's focus is on preparing the team to be adaptable and fearless. He wants the team to embrace a "high-risk, high-reward" philosophy, where players are encouraged to express themselves and take calculated risks. Gautam believes that a dynamic approach and a focus on maximizing impact will be key to India's success in the tournament.