Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Gambhir Calls for Bat-Ball Balance After Ranchi T20 Chase
India scored 249 runs against the West Indies in a T20 cricket match.
The West Indies needed 250 runs and reached that score with six wickets left and nine balls to spare.
Shai Hope scored 102 runs without being out, and Sherfane Rutherford scored 84.
Their win made the five-match series level at one win each.
India had taken three wickets early, but the West Indies batters kept scoring quickly.
India coach Gautam Gambhir said the flat pitch and dew made bowling harder.
He called for pitches that give both batters and bowlers a fair chance.
He also said India must keep improving and learn how to defend a big score.
West Indies chased India's 250-run target in Ranchi, winning the second T20I by six wickets with nine balls remaining and levelling the five-match series 1-1.
India scored 249/5, led by Sanju Samson's 82; Shai Hope made an unbeaten 102 and Sherfane Rutherford scored 84 in the chase.
India reduced West Indies to 5/2 in the first over and 58/3 in the powerplay, but the visitors completed their highest successful T20I chase.
Gautam Gambhir said batting-friendly pitches and dew can make bowling difficult and called for a more even contest between bat and ball.
Gambhir said India must not use conditions as an excuse and must find ways to defend big totals; he also praised West Indies' batting.
- Who
- India and the West Indies; India head coach Gautam Gambhir commented after the match.
- What
- West Indies beat India by six wickets while chasing 250 in the second T20I, levelling the series 1-1.
- When
- Friday, October 10; the articles do not specify the year.
- Where
- Ranchi, India.
- Why
- West Indies scored 250 to win. Gambhir called for a fairer contest between bat and ball while saying India must improve at defending totals.
Call for a fairer contest
India must adapt and improve
Impact of pitch and dew
Call for a fairer contest
Gautam Gambhir said flat, batting-friendly pitches and dew make bowling difficult and argued that a more even contest would produce better cricket.
India must adapt and improve
Gambhir also said difficult conditions should not be used as an excuse and that India must find ways to defend large totals. One article says captain Shreyas Iyer blamed dew for the loss.
- Match
- Second T20I of a five-match series
- Result
- West Indies won by six wickets with nine balls remaining
- India total
- 249/5
- West Indies total
- 250/4
- Series score
- 1-1
- Leading West Indies batters
- Shai Hope: 102 not out off 45 balls; Sherfane Rutherford: 84 off 37
- Leading India batter
- Sanju Samson: 82
- India's leading bowler
- Mayank Yadav: 3/36 in three overs
Sources
‘Their careers are at stake’: Gambhir supports bowlers after India lose high-scoring Ranchi T20
IND vs WI: ‘Who doesn’t want…' Gautam Gambhir calls for bat-ball balance after India fail to defend 249 in 2nd T20I
‘Their careers are at stake’: Gambhir pleads for even pitches after Ranchi 250 chase
