Team India will head into the fourth T20I against England under immense pressure after slipping to a 0-2 deficit in the five-match series. The visitors have struggled to adjust to the conditions throughout the tour, with their batting unit failing to deliver consistently. Their problems reached a new low in the third T20I at Nottingham, where India were bowled out for just 76, suffering a record 125-run defeat.
With the series now on the line, former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel has suggested a revised playing XI for the do-or-die contest in Bristol. While discussing the team’s combination on Star Sports, Patel stressed the importance of having a more balanced batting lineup and backing India’s strongest batting options.
Parthiv Patel suggests changes to India’s batting combination
Patel believes India need to rethink their batting setup after a string of disappointing performances. He pointed out that having too many left-handed batters in the top seven allows opposition bowlers to settle into a rhythm and makes it easier to execute their plans. He also backed vice-captain Tilak Varma to bat at No. 6 while suggesting that India should go with five specialist bowlers and trust their top seven batters to score the bulk of the runs.
“I feel that the middle order should be Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, and Shreyas Iyer, the order can be anyone, depending on the situation of the game, that is something I would like to see. When six of the seven batters are left-handers then it becomes quite difficult, the ground dimensions come into play and the bowlers get used to bowling in the same manner. So, I think that is something India definitely needs to take a look at,” Parthiv said on Star Sports.
The former wicketkeeper added that India should avoid overloading the side with all-rounders and instead field their strongest batting unit alongside five genuine bowling options.
India’s batting under the scanner ahead of must-win clash
India’s batting struggles have been one of the biggest talking points of the series. The team management has already experimented with the lineup, including changes involving Sanju Samson, and shuffled the batting order in search of better results, but the move has yet to pay dividends.
With India trailing 0-2 and only two matches remaining, the fourth T20I has become a must-win encounter. Another defeat would not only hand England the series but also extend India’s disappointing winless run since lifting the T20 World Cup 2026 title earlier this year.
Parthiv Patel’s predicted India XI for the 4th T20I: Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Tilak Varma, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Prince Yadav.
