Sports · Cricket · 1 day ago
Shane Watson says India need more continuity under Gautam Gambhir
Shane Watson, the coach of Kolkata Knight Riders, says India’s frequent changes to players and batting order may be keeping the team from its full potential.
His comments concern India’s men’s T20 team, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir.
India have used 37 players in T20 internationals since Gambhir took charge.
Watson says rotation helps keep players fresh, but argues the team also needs more continuity.
Gambhir has defended flexibility, saying India’s openers are fixed while the rest of the batting order can change.
India have won 45 of 63 T20 internationals under Gambhir, but recently lost away series to Ireland and England and failed to defend a total of 250 against West Indies in Ranchi.
The debate is about whether changing combinations helps India adapt or makes it harder to perform consistently.
Shane Watson says India need more continuity under head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Watson argues that frequent changes to players and batting positions may be keeping India from their full potential.
Gambhir says India will continue to use a flexible batting order, with the openers fixed and other players able to move.
India have won 45 of 63 T20Is under Gambhir, according to the article.
India’s recent setbacks include consecutive away T20I series defeats against Ireland and England in 2026.
- Who
- Shane Watson called for greater continuity in India’s T20 team. Gautam Gambhir is the team’s head coach.
- What
- Watson says frequent changes could be limiting India’s potential; Gambhir has defended a flexible batting order.
- When
- Watson’s comments were reported on October 10, 2026. The article does not give the date of the podcast recording.
- Where
- Watson spoke on the In The Middle With Watto podcast. India’s recent defeat while defending 250 against West Indies was in Ranchi.
- Why
- Watson believes too much change is preventing India from performing at their best. Gambhir says flexibility is part of India’s T20 approach.
Shane Watson
Gautam Gambhir
Team selection
Shane Watson
Watson says there is too much chopping and changing and calls for more continuity.
Gautam Gambhir
Gambhir says India will continue to experiment with batting combinations, keeping the openers fixed while the rest of the order remains flexible.
India haven't been performing at their best, and I believe it's because there's too much chopping and changing around the players
They do need to rotate players and keep them fresh, but there still needs to be a little more continuity
More importantly, we've been flexible with our batting line-up and we will continue to do that. I've always said since I took over that in T20 cricket, the openers are fixed, the rest everyone floats
India have used 37 players in T20Is.
India retained the men's T20 World Cup title on home soil.
India lost away T20I series against Ireland and England.
Gambhir defended promoting Shivam Dube to No. 4 ahead of Shreyas Iyer.
India Today reported Watson’s call for greater continuity.
- India T20I record under Gambhir
- 45 wins and 13 losses in 63 matches
- Players used by India in T20Is under Gambhir
- 37
- Players used by Australia and England over the same period
- 28 each
- Players used by Pakistan over the same period
- 40
- Players used by New Zealand and West Indies over the same period
- 42 and 38
- Ranchi match
- India failed to defend 250 against West Indies
Sources
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