Gambhir Backs Dube At No. 4 Despite Failure, Says Only Openers Are ‘Permanent’ In T20 Cricket

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has defended Shivam Dube’s promotion to No. 4, insisting that flexibility remains central to India’s T20 strategy despite the all-rounder’s failure in the second T20 International against the West Indies in Ranchi.

Dube managed just seven runs off 10 balls after being promoted ahead of Shreyas Iyer following Ishan Kishan’s dismissal. West Indies off-spinner Roston Chase removed him during a crucial middle-overs phase, but Gambhir maintained that the decision was part of India’s established approach.

“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,” Gambhir said after the match.

Emphasising his philosophy, he added, “In T20 cricket, only the openers are permanent. The rest of the batting order should remain flexible.”

India recovered from losing momentum in the middle overs as Iyer and Tilak Varma provided late fireworks to lift the hosts to 249 for five. However, the West Indies pulled off a remarkable chase, reaching 250 for three in just 18.3 overs to level the five-match series 1-1.

Shai Hope smashed an unbeaten 102, while Sherfane Rutherford hammered 84 to guide the visitors to a record-breaking victory.

Gambhir refused to blame the defeat solely on dew and batting-friendly conditions, saying India must learn to defend big totals. He also backed Mayank Yadav, who dismissed Kamil Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer off successive deliveries before removing Rovman Powell with a 149-kmph delivery.

“Games are not won or lost in the first over. A game of cricket is won or lost by the way you play consistently over the course of 40 overs,” Gambhir said.

He also called for an even contest between bat and ball, refusing to blame the toss or Mayank’s dropped catch of Rutherford.

“The bottom line is that we could not defend 250. They batted extremely well, and they deserved to win,” Gambhir said, acknowledging that India still had work to do.