Gautam Gambhir slams Guwahati pitch after India’s record 406-run chase
India chased down a 406-run target in Guwahati to win the series 2-0, and coach Gautam Gambhir warned that the pitch was overly favorable to batsmen.
In Guwahati, West Indies reached 405 for seven, prompting India to chase the total in just 43.3 overs and clinch the three-match series 2-0. Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 223 and Rohit Sharma’s 101 anchored the record-breaking chase, the highest in India’s ODI history. Coach Gautam Gambhir criticised the pitch as being too batting-friendly, saying it offered “no contest” for bowlers and urged a more balanced surface.
He noted modern restrictions - two new balls, fielding limits and power hitting - further limit bowlers’ options. Gambhir defended the bowlers’ figures, emphasizing the need for sympathy and development opportunities, especially for debutant Auqib Nabi and other young pacers like Gurnoor Brar, as India prepares for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Why it matters
The match raises questions about pitch fairness and bowler development in international cricket.
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