'Only openers' spots are permanent' — Gambhir defends Dube at No.4 as West Indies chase 249 to level series

India's record T20I total against West Indies still not enough

India posted their highest-ever T20I total against the West Indies — 249 for five — but it was chased down by the visitors in just 18.3 overs in the second T20 International at the JSCA Stadium in Ranchi, levelling the five-match series 1-1.

Gambhir stands by Dube promotion

Head coach Gautam Gambhir backed the decision to promote all-rounder Shivam Dube to No. 4 despite Dube managing only seven runs off 10 balls before falling to West Indies off-spinner Roston Chase. Dube was sent in at No. 4 after Ishan Kishan's dismissal, with Shreyas Iyer coming in later. India backed Dube to take on the spin despite Chase's success against left-handers.

"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.

The coach refused to panic after India lost momentum in the middle overs, losing wickets in successive overs including top-scorer Sanju Samson.

"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," Gambhir 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

Sanju Samson led India's batting with 82, while Shreyas Iyer smashed 40 off 18 balls and Tilak Varma finished unbeaten on 44 off 18 deliveries. Samson and Kishan added 97 for the second wicket, with Samson reaching his half-century in just 21 balls and Kishan making 43 off 22 before both fell to Chase. Iyer and Tilak then provided late impetus to lift India to 249/5.

Hope and Rutherford sink India

West Indies made a poor start to the chase, with Mayank Yadav taking two wickets in the opening over. But captain Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford turned the match around with brutal hitting against India's spinners. Hope finished unbeaten on 102 off 45 balls, with six fours and nine sixes, while Rutherford blazed 84 off 37, including seven fours and seven sixes. The pair added 120 runs off just 54 balls.

Mayank Yadav dropped Rutherford, and the missed chance proved costly. Romario Shepherd then clubbed 34 off 13 balls to seal a famous chase in 18.3 overs and level the series.