Only the openers' spots are fixed; the batting order for the others could change—Gambhir's clear message
4. Gambhir made it clear that, apart from the openers, no batting position in the team is fixed. He explained that in T20 cricket, any batter may be required to bat at any position depending on the team’s needs. India will continue to make such changes according to the situation.
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XtraTime Web Desk
Despite Shivam Dube’s failure with the bat in the second T20I against the West Indies, India head coach Gautam Gambhir has no regrets about promoting him to No. 4. Gambhir made it clear that, apart from the openers, no batting position in the team is fixed. He explained that in T20 cricket, any batter may be required to bat at any position depending on the team’s needs. India will continue to make such changes according to the situation.
Dube was sent in at No. 4 after Ishan Kishan’s dismissal, while Shreyas Iyer was held back and came in later. Despite Roston Chase’s success against left-handed batters, Dube was promoted to make the most of the opportunity against the spinners.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Gambhir said that Dube had been used in a similar role on previous occasions, including during the World Cup. He emphasised that this was not the first time India had deployed the all-rounder in such a manner.
Gambhir further stated that India would continue to make changes to the batting order according to the demands of the situation. In international cricket, he pointed out, decisions do not always go in a team’s favour, and sometimes they can backfire.
“I have always maintained that only the openers have fixed positions in the team. Apart from them, no other batting position is permanent,” Gambhir reiterated.
The Indian coach’s comments underline the team management’s approach of prioritising flexibility and adapting to match situations rather than sticking to a rigid batting order in T20 cricket.
