Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Gambhir Defends Dube Promotion After India's T20 Defeat
India scored a lot of runs in their T20 match against the West Indies.
But the West Indies scored even more and won by chasing the target.
India coach Gautam Gambhir said Shivam Dube's promotion to number four was part of the team's plan.
He said players can bat in different places, except for the openers, whose spots are permanent.
Gambhir said India should not ignore the defeat and must learn how to defend big scores.
He praised the West Indies batters for playing very well.
He also praised fast bowler Mayank Yadav for taking early wickets.
Gambhir said India, not the toss or one dropped catch, had to take responsibility for not defending the total.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir defended Shivam Dube's promotion to No. 4 despite his seven-run innings.
Gambhir said only the opening positions are permanent in India's T20 batting order, with other spots kept flexible.
India scored 249 for five, but the West Indies chased the target in 18.3 overs to level the five-match series 1-1.
Gambhir said India must learn to defend large totals in difficult bowling conditions, including flat pitches and dew.
He praised the West Indies batters and Mayank Yadav's fast opening spell, while saying India must take responsibility for the loss.
- Who
- India, coached by Gautam Gambhir, and the West Indies.
- What
- The West Indies chased India's 249 for five to win the second T20 International and level the five-match series 1-1.
- When
- October 10; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- JSCA Stadium, Ranchi.
- Why
- The West Indies won by scoring the required runs in 18.3 overs; Gambhir said India needed to improve at defending large totals in difficult bowling conditions.
Gambhir's reasoning
Questions raised by the match
Promoting Dube to No. 4
Gambhir's reasoning
Gambhir said India had used Dube in that position before and would continue to keep the batting order flexible.
Questions raised by the match
Dube scored seven off 10 balls, and India lost momentum during the middle overs.
Explaining the defeat
Gambhir's reasoning
Gambhir said India had to take responsibility for failing to defend 250 and should not blame the toss or other factors.
Questions raised by the match
The article notes that dew and a dropped catch of Rutherford were potential contributing factors, while also describing the bowling conditions as difficult.
Pitch conditions
Gambhir's reasoning
Gambhir said he wanted an even contest between bat and ball and acknowledged that bowling on flat, dewy pitches was difficult.
Questions raised by the match
The match was a high-scoring contest, and Gambhir's earlier observation that the Guwahati surface was a featherbed prompted a question about whether India wanted better pitches.
- India's total
- 249 for five
- West Indies chase
- Reached the target in 18.3 overs
- Series score
- 1-1 in a five-match series
- Shivam Dube
- Scored seven off 10 balls after being promoted to No. 4
- Shai Hope
- Scored 102 not out
- Sherfane Rutherford
- Scored 84
- Mayank Yadav
- Took three wickets in the opening over, according to the article