India head coach Gautam Gambhir expressed strong criticism regarding the playing conditions in Guwahati following the team’s record-breaking 406-run chase in the second ODI against the West Indies. He emphasized that a more balanced contest between bat and ball is essential, describing pitches that offer minimal assistance to bowlers as “not fair” and overly restrictive to their ability to influence the game.
“Look, if I have to be absolutely honest, I think there has to be a bit more contest between bat and ball, because when we talk about cricket, this is not cricket—this is only batting,” Gambhir told Star Sports after the match. “Imagine a young bowler trying to deliver on this wicket, watching the opposition post 400, and then watching us chase down 400. While it is outstanding for records, the crowd, and the broadcaster, as a genuine cricket fan and a coach who must show sympathy for the bowlers, this is deeply concerning.”
“When you bowl on a wicket like this, it is simply not fair to the bowlers. We must provide them with something to work with, even if it is just a small margin, so they can have a meaningful presence in the game.”
When asked how a coach can support bowlers under such challenging conditions, Gambhir emphasized that performances should be evaluated based on execution and intent rather than solely on final bowling figures.
“The first thing is that you need to show sympathy and provide a bit of margin for the bowlers,” he explained. “Often, you cannot be overly harsh on bowlers because sometimes their bowling figures do not accurately reflect their actual performance; the margin for error is incredibly small. Furthermore, bowlers are restricted to bowling in precise areas. With five fielders inside the circle, two new balls, and the extreme power-hitting seen today, bowlers simply do not have many viable options.”
Auqib Nabi made his India debut in the second ODI against West Indies•BCCI
“That is why, as a coach and support staff, the primary question is whether the bowlers were able to execute their plans effectively. If they executed their strategies properly, they should not be harshly criticized. If we focus too much on statistical analysis without considering execution, we will never successfully develop bowlers. Imagine Auqib Nabi playing his first game; at such times, players need support, a bit of a cushion, and extra options. Unfortunately, on a day like today, there was very little available for any bowler.”
With approximately one year remaining before the 2027 ODI World Cup, Gambhir noted that India has less time than it appears to finalize their squad and strategic options.
“…you mentioned that there is one year, but within that year, three months will be dedicated to the IPL, and another three months to the series against Australia,” he pointed out. “Following the current series, we have barely 20 ODIs remaining, which includes matches against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. That is not a lot of matches. Therefore, whatever we plan and whatever options we prepare, we must expedite the process and finalize them as quickly as possible.”
“Before the IPL, we will only test our primary squad options after the tournament concludes. Right now is the crucial period to experiment with different combinations. Just as Auqib Nabi received his opportunity today, we will continue to give other players a chance, at least up until the Zimbabwe series, to see what they can contribute to this format.”
India handed a debut to Nabi while holding a 1-0 lead in the series. Gambhir stated that such high-stakes scenarios are vital for testing players under conditions that closely replicate the pressure they will encounter at a World Cup.
“We could have given Auqib a chance in the next match, which is a dead rubber, but in such games, you do not experience the intense pressure of fighting to win a series. As we all know, the World Cup is entirely defined by pressure. While the format of cricket does not change, the magnitude of pressure is unique because the tournament only occurs once every four years. Therefore, we want to expose our bowlers to high-pressure situations.”
“For example, Gurnoor Brar. Having him bowl in the first ten overs and also at the death, I know people will focus on his statistics, but the more he is tested in tough conditions and high-pressure situations, the better it will be for Indian cricket. While we could protect his stats by having him bowl defensively in the middle overs, exposing him to challenging scenarios now is ultimately beneficial for the team’s long-term development.”
