Lahore (Sports Desk): Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir has expressed concerns over the Guwahati pitch despite successfully chasing a target of 406 runs against the West Indies in the second ODI.
According to Gautam Gambhir, the wicket did not provide a balanced contest between bat and ball, and bowlers were not given suitable conditions to demonstrate their abilities.
He said that scoring more than 400 runs on such a pitch may be exciting for records, spectators, and broadcasters, but the situation is not appropriate from the bowlers’ perspective. According to him, “This is not cricket, it is just batting,” and bowlers should also receive some assistance.
The Indian head coach said that in the absence of difficult batting conditions, the performance of bowlers should not be assessed solely through statistics. Their bowling line, length, and execution of the planned strategy should also be considered.
Gambhir emphasized the need to give young players opportunities in difficult conditions, saying that young bowlers, particularly Aqib Nabi, need to be prepared for the pressure of major competitions.
He also called for early decisions regarding preparations for the 2027 World Cup. He said India have approximately 20 ODIs remaining before the World Cup, so the process of testing different players and team combinations needs to be completed quickly.
According to Gautam Gambhir, testing young bowlers in difficult conditions can help build a stronger team for the future.