AB de Villiers backs Gambhir’s view but warns against excessive experimentation with roles
NEW DELHI
Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has weighed in on India head coach Gautam Gambhir’s recent comment that batting orders in ODIs are “overrated,” saying he agrees with the idea to an extent but cautioned that too much flexibility can disrupt defined player roles. Gambhir had made the remark after India clinched a 2-1 ODI series win over South Africa, arguing that situational demands matter more than rigid batting positions.
Sharing his thoughts on his YouTube channel, de Villiers said he has always enjoyed the idea of a floating batting lineup in the 50-over format. “I do agree with him to a certain extent. I’ve always enjoyed a floating batting lineup in ODIs,” he said. “But it’s a fine line because you can’t really play around too much with the players’ roles.”
The former Proteas skipper explained that an ODI side typically functions in structured segments. “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,” he noted. He added that tactical tweaks—such as promoting a left-hander to counter a particular bowler—can be beneficial, but teams must avoid changes that could unsettle the batting group.
De Villiers also lauded India’s impressive white-ball run, with the team having won the first T20I against South Africa and extending their streak to 27 victories in 31 games. “It has been incredible, especially for a T20 format,” he said. “It’s the most volatile format of the three, and to have that kind of consistency tells you something is heading in the right direction. I think it’s got to do with the depth of Indian cricket.”
