"You can't really play around too much" - RCB legend's massive statement on Gautam Gambhir's batting order statement amid IND vs SA 2025 T20Is

Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and South African batter AB de Villiers supported Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir on the latter's recent comments on batting order in white-ball cricket. Following India's 2-1 ODI series win over South Africa, Gambhir responded to a question about the side constantly chopping and changing their batting order.

"I think in a one-day format, you should know the template that you want to play with. I’ve always believed that in white-ball cricket, batting orders are very overrated, except the opening combination," said Gambhir (via The Print)

Regular opener Ruturaj Gaikwad batted at No. 4 in the three ODIs, while Washington Sundar batted at No.5 and 6 in the opening two ODIs.

Reacting to Gambhir's 'batting order' comments, AB de Villiers said on his YouTube channel (3:36):

"I do agree with him to a certain extent. I've always enjoyed a floating batting lineup in ODIs. But it's a fine line because you can't really play around too much with the players' roles. It's the top three, four to six, and then your tailenders who can hold the bat. It's almost like three segments, and you can really be creative with that. Play with right and left-hand combinations and certain situations of the game."

Since Gambhir took over as head coach, India has also experimented with the batting order in T20Is. with skipper Suryakumar Yadav batting lower down the order and Shivam Dube walking in at No. 3, among others.

"It's got to do with the depth of Indian cricket" - AB de Villiers on Team India's T20I dominance

AB de Villiers believes the depth in Indian cricket has played a massive role in the side's remarkable domination in the shortest format over the last two years. The Men in Blue went unbeaten in their 2024 T20 World Cup title run in the West Indies and the USA.

Following the triumph, Team India has continued their red-hot streak in T20Is, winning 27 out of their last 31 completed matches.

"It has been incredible, especially for a T20 format. It's the most volatile format of the three, and to have that kind of consistency tells you there must be something going on that's heading in the right direction. I think it's got to do with the depth of Indian cricket," said De Villiers (via the aforementioned source).

India's most recent T20I win came in the series opener against the Proteas in Cuttack by 101 runs. The second T20I between the teams will be played in New Chandigarh tomorrow, December 11.