We want what you want: Gautam Gambhir's 2nd pitch plea in 10 days after Ranchi run fest
“This is not cricket, this is only batting.”
It was just 10 days ago in Guwahati that Gautam Gambhir made this statement. He had seen his Indian side pull off a sensational chase of 406 runs in just 43.3 overs. On that day, a total of 811 runs were scored in 93.3 overs.
IND vs WI, 2nd T20I: Highlights | Scorecard
Now, on October 9, he witnessed another run fest in Ranchi. A total of 501 runs was scored in just 38.3 overs as West Indies reached 250 with ease and set the record for the second-highest run chase in T20I cricket. Apart from Roston Chase, all the bowlers from both teams leaked runs at an economy rate of over 10. While dew can be considered to be a factor, the question of competitive wickets raised its head once again.
And for the second time in a matter of 10 days, Gambhir advocated for an even contest between bat and ball. Speaking at the post-match press conference, the Indian coach said that he understands the demand of the fans.
Gambhir said that the careers of bowlers are being put at risk by such conditions, and he wants to see better cricket.
“Don’t you want a good competition between bat and ball? We want what you want,” Gambhir remarked in a press conference after the match. “If you only want to see only sixes and fours, then we want to see that too. If you want an even contest, then we want that too.
“These bowlers are our bowlersTheir careers are also at stake. They have worked very hard to get into the dressing room. It’s not like they haven’t worked hard. So if there is even competition, it will be good. And we will get to see better cricket too.””
‘WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT A WAY’
However, Gambhir was quick to point out that the surface could not be held solely responsible for the result. He acknowledged the West Indies’ batting prowess but stressed that India must find ways to defend big totals against a formidable batting line-up, even when conditions are not in their favour.
“You don’t shrug off any defeat,” he said. “If you want to keep improving, you don’t want to put anything under the carpet. We are a world champion team, so we want to keep improving.”
“And obviously these are tough conditions to bowl. We know that flat wickets with the dew, obviously it’s tough. But we need to figure out the wayto try and stop the opposition, especially when they lost two wickets in the first over and then lost three in the first six.”
India will take on West Indies in the 3rd T20I on October 11 in Indore.
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