Gambhir questions Guwahati pitch after record chase: ‘There has to be more contest between bat and ball’
Gambhir said the surface gave bowlers little help after India chased 406, while Shubman Gill scored an unbeaten 223 and Rohit Sharma made 101.
- On Wednesday, India chased down 406 against West Indies in the second ODI, sealing a 2-0 series lead at Barsapara Stadium. India head coach Gautam Gambhir criticized the flat pitch, arguing it offered little assistance to bowlers and was "not fair."
- Both teams crossed 400 runs, resulting in over 800 total runs in the match. Gambhir expressed sympathy for the bowlers, describing the uneven contest as one that turned them into bystanders.
- Defending young bowlers Gurnoor Brar and Auqib Nabi, who conceded 96 and 84 runs, Gambhir told Star Sports, "This is not cricket, this is only batting," while emphasizing the need for support.
- Exposing young players to high-pressure situations is central to India's preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Gambhir noted the team prefers testing personnel in matches where series-winning pressure remains, not dead rubbers.
- With barely 20 ODIs remaining before the 2027 World Cup, Gambhir urged rapid squad assessment. The team plans to test different players until the Zimbabwe series to finalize options after the IPL.
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Gautam Gambhir is unhappy with the 811-run total in the second ODI between India and West Indies in Guwahati. India easily achieved the target of 406, but the head coach questioned the pitch. Gambhir said cricket should be a contest between bat and ball. He believes such a pitch is not good for bowlers.
Gambhir Criticises Batting-Friendly Guwahati Pitch After India's Record ODI Chase vs West Indies
India coach Gautam Gambhir said the batting-friendly pitch in Guwahati was unfair on bowlers after his side completed the second-highest successful chase in one-day international history on Wednesday.India overhauled West Indies' 405-7 with an eight-wicket victory to seal the series, but Gambhir said the run-fest underlined the need for a fairer contest between bat and ball."There has to be a bit more of a contest between bat and ball, because…
The Economic Times
Times of IndiaGambhir questions Guwahati pitch after record chase: ‘There has to be more contest between bat and ball’
Gautam Gambhir expressed concerns regarding the Guwahati pitch after India's historic win against the West Indies. India successfully chased down 406 runs, marking their highest achievement in ODI history. Gambhir emphasized that the conditions unfairly favored batters over bowlers, hindering a genuine contest. He stressed the importance of providing support for bowlers in future games.
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