India head coach Gautam Gambhir has defended the decision to promote Shivam Dube to No. 4 in the second T20 International against the West Indies in Ranchi, insisting the team's batting order will remain flexible in the format even after the move backfired.
Dube managed only seven off 10 balls before falling to West Indies off-spinner Roston Chase at the JSCA Stadium, as India lost despite piling up 249 for 5 — their highest-ever T20I total against the West Indies. The visitors chased the target down in 18.3 overs to level the five-match series 1-1.
Dube walked in at No. 4 after Ishan Kishan's dismissal, with Shreyas Iyer pushed down the order. India backed the left-hander to attack spin, even though Chase has had success against left-handed batters.
'Not a one-off decision'
Gambhir insisted the promotion was part of an established pattern rather than a reactionary call. "We have used him like this for a long time, including during the World Cup and before it. It is not as though this was a one-off decision today," he said at the post-match media interaction.
He also accepted that the innings dipped after a strong start. "This is international cricket. Sometimes things go your way, and sometimes they don't," he said. "We lost momentum today, but we have also gained a lot of momentum by sending him in at No. 4, where he has taken on the opposition bowlers."
Gambhir restated the team's wider batting policy: "More importantly, I think we have always been flexible with our batting order, and we will continue to do that. I have always said since taking over that in T20 cricket, only the openers are permanent. The rest of the batting order should remain flexible."
Samson's knock in vain
Sanju Samson led India's batting with 82, reaching his half-century in 21 balls, while Kishan made 43 off 22 deliveries and the pair added 97 for the second wicket. Iyer blasted 40 off 18 balls and Tilak Varma stayed unbeaten on 44 off 18 as India posted their record total.
The West Indies stumbled at the start of the chase as Mayank Yadav struck twice in the opening over, but Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford counterattacked against India's spinners to turn the chase decisively in the visitors' favour.
Sources:
'We Have Always Been Flexible': Coach Gautam Gambhir Back Shivam Dube At No. 4 — Outlook India
Dube managed only seven off 10 balls before falling to West Indies off-spinner Roston Chase at the JSCA Stadium, as India lost despite piling up 249 for 5 — their highest-ever T20I total against the West Indies. The visitors chased the target down in 18.3 overs to level the five-match series 1-1.
Dube walked in at No. 4 after Ishan Kishan's dismissal, with Shreyas Iyer pushed down the order. India backed the left-hander to attack spin, even though Chase has had success against left-handed batters.
'Not a one-off decision'
Gambhir insisted the promotion was part of an established pattern rather than a reactionary call. "We have used him like this for a long time, including during the World Cup and before it. It is not as though this was a one-off decision today," he said at the post-match media interaction.
He also accepted that the innings dipped after a strong start. "This is international cricket. Sometimes things go your way, and sometimes they don't," he said. "We lost momentum today, but we have also gained a lot of momentum by sending him in at No. 4, where he has taken on the opposition bowlers."
Gambhir restated the team's wider batting policy: "More importantly, I think we have always been flexible with our batting order, and we will continue to do that. I have always said since taking over that in T20 cricket, only the openers are permanent. The rest of the batting order should remain flexible."
Samson's knock in vain
Sanju Samson led India's batting with 82, reaching his half-century in 21 balls, while Kishan made 43 off 22 deliveries and the pair added 97 for the second wicket. Iyer blasted 40 off 18 balls and Tilak Varma stayed unbeaten on 44 off 18 as India posted their record total.
The West Indies stumbled at the start of the chase as Mayank Yadav struck twice in the opening over, but Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford counterattacked against India's spinners to turn the chase decisively in the visitors' favour.
Sources:
'We Have Always Been Flexible': Coach Gautam Gambhir Back Shivam Dube At No. 4 — Outlook India
