'Only openers' spots are permanent': Gambhir's clear message on India's batting order

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has backed the decision to promote Shivam Dube to No. 4 despite the all-rounder failing to make an impact in the second T20 International against the West Indies in Ranchi. Dube scored seven off 10 balls before being dismissed by West Indies off-spinner Roston Chase. However, Gambhir said India would continue to change their batting order according to the match situation, adding that only the opening positions are fixed in T20 cricket.

'Only the openers are permanent'

Dube was promoted to No. 4 after Ishan Kishan's dismissal, with Shreyas Iyer coming in later. India backed Dube to take on the spin bowling despite Chase's success against left-handed batters. "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. India lost momentum in the middle overs after losing wickets in successive overs, including top-scorer Sanju Samson . Iyer and Tilak Varma, however, scored quick runs towards the end to take India to 249/5. Gambhir stood by the decision to send Dube in at No. 4 and said the team would continue to be flexible with its batting order. "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.”

Samson's 82 goes in vain as West Indies script record chase

India's total of 249/5 was not enough as the West Indies chased down the target in just 18.3 overs to level the five-match series 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 difficult start to the chase, with Mayank Yadav taking two wickets in the opening over. However, captain Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford turned the match around with aggressive batting against India's 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 control. Mayank dropped Rutherford, and the missed chance proved costly for India. Romario Shepherd then scored 34 off 13 balls to help the visitors finish the chase in 18.3 overs and level the series 1-1.