‘This is not cricket, this is only batting’: Gambhir calls for better balance after India’s record ODI chase

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has called for more balanced ODI pitches after India completed a record 406-run chase against the West Indies in the second ODI in Guwahati, arguing that bowlers need more assistance to remain competitive.

India successfully chased down West Indies’ imposing total of 405, producing a high-scoring contest that thrilled spectators but raised concerns for Gambhir about the lack of assistance for bowlers.

Speaking to Star Sports after the match, Gambhir said there needed to be a greater contest between bat and ball.

“There has to be a bit more contest between bat and ball. You talk about cricket, but this is not cricket, this is only batting,” Gambhir said.

He acknowledged that the record-breaking performances were impressive for the players, spectators and broadcasters, but said the conditions were particularly challenging for young bowlers.

“For the records, it’s outstanding; for the crowd, it’s outstanding; for the broadcaster, it’s outstanding. But if you ask me as a genuine cricket fan and as a coach, I have to have sympathy for the bowlers as well,” he said.

Gambhir added that pitches offering so little assistance made it difficult for bowlers to have a meaningful impact.

“When you bowl on this kind of a wicket, it’s not fair for the bowlers. So we’ve got to give something to the bowlers so there’s at least something which the bowlers can work with,” he said.

Gambhir urges patience with bowlers

The India coach also stressed that bowlers should not be judged solely by their figures when playing on extremely batter-friendly pitches.

According to Gambhir, coaches and support staff should focus more on whether bowlers executed their plans effectively rather than simply looking at the runs they conceded.

“Often you can’t be hard on bowlers, because sometimes bowling figures are such that they haven’t bowled as poorly as their figures suggest,” he said.

Gambhir pointed to the restrictions imposed on modern ODI bowlers, including fielding limitations, two new balls and the increased power of batters.

“That is why, as a coach, as a support staff, the first thing you look at is, were they able to execute their bowling or their plans properly? If they were able to do that, then you shouldn’t be hard on them,” he said.

He also called for patience with young players, highlighting the debut of Auqib Nabi.

“Imagine Auqib playing his first game. Somewhere you need to give them a bit of support and keep a bit of an extra cushion or extra options for them. But unfortunately, today there wasn’t much for any bowler,” Gambhir said.

India have limited time to prepare for 2027 World Cup

With the 2027 ODI World Cup approaching, Gambhir said India have less time than it might appear to finalise their squad and assess different options.

Although roughly a year remains before the tournament, Gambhir pointed out that the IPL and the India-Australia series will take up a significant portion of that period.

“So after this series, we have barely 20 ODIs, and 20 ODIs aren’t really that many ODIs,” he said, noting that the schedule also includes three ODIs each against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

Gambhir said India would use the upcoming matches to test different players and combinations.

“Right now is the time for us to try different options. Just like Auqib got an opportunity today, we will similarly try, at least until the Zimbabwe series, to give other people an opportunity and see what they can offer us in this format,” he said.

Gambhir wants young bowlers tested under pressure

Gambhir also explained why India chose to give Nabi his debut while the series was still on the line rather than waiting for a dead rubber.

He said young players need exposure to pressure situations similar to those they will encounter at a World Cup.

“We could have given Auqib a chance in the next match too when it’s a dead rubber, but in a dead rubber, you don’t have that pressure which comes with the pressure of winning a series,” Gambhir said.

He made a similar point about young pacer Gurnoor Brar, saying exposure to difficult situations would ultimately help his development.

“Having Gurnoor bowl in the first 10 overs, bowling at the death, I know people will talk about his analysis, but the more he bowls in tough conditions, in tough situations, the better it is for Indian cricket,” Gambhir said.

Gambhir added that protecting young bowlers by using them only in favourable situations could produce better statistics but would not necessarily prepare them for the demands of major tournaments.

“The more we expose them at such times, the better it is for Indian cricket,” he said.