"Only Openers Are Permanent": Gautam Gambhir Drops Stunning Verdict After Shivam Dube's Flopshow In 2nd T20I

Team India's decision to promote Shivam Dube to No. 4 in the second T20I against West Indies backfired, but head coach Gautam Gambhir staunchly defended the move. Dube was sent ahead of captain Shreyas Iyer, who had struck a century in the first game, but managed only 7 off 10. India went on to lose despite setting a score of 249, causing the decision to promote Dube to come under intense scrutiny. However, Gambhir made it clear after the game that India will continue to follow a flexible approach when it comes to their batting unit.

"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," Gambhir said at the post-match media interaction at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi.

Despite Roston Chase's success against left-handed batters, India backed Dube to counter the spin.

In hindsight, India may have missed out on 20-odd runs after losing wickets in successive overs, with top-scorer Sanju Samson also departing soon after.

Iyer and Tilak Varma, however, made up for it and provided the late fireworks to power India to 249 for five despite the loss of momentum in the middle overs.

The West Indies then pulled off a record chase, reaching the target in just 18.3 overs to level the five-match series 1-1.

Gambhir stood by the decision to promote Dube, stressing that India would continue to keep their batting order flexible.

"This is international cricket. Sometimes things go your way, and sometimes they don't.

"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," the coach said.

"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.”

With PTI inputs

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