‘Only openers are permanent’: Gautam Gambhir’s clear message on India’s T20 batting order

Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson (Image credit: Agencies) India head coach Gautam Gambhir has backed the decision to promote Shivam Dube to No.4 despite the all-rounder failing to impress in the second T20 International against West Indies in Ranchi.Dube scored seven off 10 balls before being dismissed by West Indian spinner Roston Chase. However, Gambhir said that India will continue to change their batting order according to the match situation, adding that only the opening positions are fixed in T20 cricket.

“Only openers are permanent”

Dube was promoted to No. 4 after the dismissal of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer came in later. India backed Dube to bowl despite Chase’s success against left-handed batsmen.“We’ve been using him like that for a long time, including during the World Cup and before. It’s not like it was a one-off decision today,” Gambhir said at the post-match media interaction at the JSCA Stadium.India lost momentum in the middle overs after losing wickets in consecutive overs, including top scorer Sanju Samson. However, Iyer and Tilak Varma scored quick runs towards the end to take India to 249/5.Gambhir stood behind the decision to send Dube at No.4 and said the team will continue to be flexible in terms of batting order.“This is international cricket. Sometimes things go your way and sometimes they don’t.”“We lost momentum today, but we also gained a lot of momentum by sending him to No. 4 to take on opposing pitchers,” the coach said.“More importantly, I think we have always been flexible with our batting order and we will continue to do so. Ever since I took over T20 cricket, I have always said that only the openers are permanent. The rest of the batting order should remain flexible.”

Samson’s 82 goes in vain as West Indies script chase

India’s total of 249/5 was not enough as West Indies chased down the target in just 18.3 overs to level the five-match series at 1-1. Samson led India’s batting with 82, while Iyer scored 40 off 18 balls and Tilak remained unbeaten on 44 off 18 deliveries.Samson and Kishan added 97 runs for the second wicket. Samson reached his half-century in just 21 balls while Kishan scored 43 off 22 deliveries before being dismissed by Chase. The off-spinner also removed Dube for seven. Samson’s innings ended in the 15th over but Iyer and Tilak provided late runs to help India post their highest ever T20I total against the West Indies.West Indies had a tough start to the chase with Mayank Yadav taking two wickets in the opener. However, captain Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford turned the match around with aggressive batting against the Indian spinners.Hope scored an unbeaten 102 off 45 balls, hitting six fours and nine sixes. Rutherford made 84 off 37 balls, with seven fours and seven sixes. The pair added 120 runs off just 54 balls to put the West Indies in check. Mayank dropped Rutherford and the missed chance proved costly for India.Romario Shepherd then scored 34 off 13 balls to help the visitors complete the chase in 18.3 overs and level the series at 1-1.