As India prepares for its next ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 fixture, former coach Sanjay Bangar and ex‑opener Parthiv Patel have voiced strong support for the team’s aggressive batting, even after a shaky performance against the United States in their opener.
India’s campaign got off to a dramatic start when they were reduced to 77 for six in the 13th over against the USA at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Despite the early collapse, captain Suryakumar Yadav played a commanding innings, finishing unbeaten on 84 off 49 balls, and India managed to post a competitive total of 161 for nine.
The United States fought back well but was eventually bowled out for 132, giving India a 29‑run victory.
Parthiv Patel Backs India’s Aggressive Game Plan
In the wake of the top‑order wobble, both Bangar and Patel urged the team not to abandon its high‑risk, high-reward approach that defines India’s white-ball batting.
Patel, ahead of India’s clash with Namibia, emphasised that the team’s aggressive mindset should remain intact.
The opening duo, Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, who have played brilliantly over the past year and a half, should continue to express themselves.
Patel acknowledged that while the approach didn’t work as planned against the USA, where bowlers targeted specific scoring zones, a single poor outing shouldn’t trigger a tactical overhaul.
He said, “India should not change their approach at all. Going into this World Cup, India had a philosophy of playing high‑risk, high-reward cricket… I think the openers should continue playing the way they have been.”
Sanjay Banger Perspective: Fearless But Aware
Sanjay Bangar, speaking on JioStar’s Follow the Blues, agreed with Patel while adding some nuance. He said India’s fearless batting has been key to their success, but risks can cause wickets to fall in clusters, like against the USA.
“I don’t think Indian batters should overanalyse what happened at Wankhede against the USA. The Indian batting line-up plays a risky style in T20 cricket,” Bangar said. He added that the team should keep attacking instincts, but slowing down briefly when wickets fall can help.
Bangar also praised the balance of experience and aggression in the team. Players like Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya can switch between attacking and responsible play depending on the match situation.
Looking Ahead: India vs Namibia
India now turns its attention to their next Group A match against Namibia at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Thursday. Analysts and former players continue to discuss how India can use its firepower while avoiding unnecessary collapses.
Both Bangar and Patel’s comments suggest India is unlikely to make major changes to its batting philosophy. The team will continue to back its players’ natural strengths and trust the approach that built their strong T20 record over the past 18 months.
Whether this fearless brand of cricket will hold up throughout the tournament remains a key talking point. For now, India’s camp appears united behind its attacking core.
