Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Gambhir Calls India’s 406-Run Chase ‘Not Cricket’, Seeks Balance
India chased a very large target of 406 runs against the West Indies.
The game was played in Guwahati on Wednesday.
Gautam Gambhir, India’s coach, said the pitch was too easy for batters.
He felt bowlers had very little help from the surface.
Gambhir said this made the game mostly about batting.
He also said the record chase was exciting for fans and broadcasters.
However, he believed a fair cricket match should give bowlers something to work with.
He asked people not to judge bowlers only by their expensive figures.
India chased 406 against the West Indies in Guwahati on Wednesday.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir said the pitch offered too little assistance to bowlers.
He argued that the match became more about batting than a contest between bat and ball.
Gurnoor Brar conceded 96 runs in 10 overs, while debutant Auqib Nabi gave away 84 in 8.5 overs.
Gambhir said bowlers should be judged on execution because figures can exaggerate their performance on such pitches.
- Who
- India, the West Indies, and India head coach Gautam Gambhir.
- What
- India completed a record 406-run chase, prompting Gambhir to criticize the batting-friendly conditions.
- When
- Wednesday.
- Where
- Guwahati.
- Why
- Gambhir said the pitch gave bowlers too little assistance and reduced the contest between bat and ball.
Gambhir’s Criticism
High-Scoring Match Benefits
Balance between bat and ball
Gambhir’s Criticism
Gambhir said the conditions were unfair to bowlers and created a game that was mainly about batting.
High-Scoring Match Benefits
The 406-run chase was described as outstanding for records, the crowd, and the broadcaster.
Judging bowling performances
Gambhir’s Criticism
Gambhir argued that bowlers need sympathy because their figures may look worse than their actual execution on such a pitch.
High-Scoring Match Benefits
The match’s high run totals and aggressive batting showed the entertainment value of the conditions, even though they made bowling difficult.
- Target chased
- 406 runs
- Match location
- Guwahati
- Gurnoor Brar
- 2 wickets for 96 runs in 10 overs
- Auqib Nabi
- 84 runs conceded in 8.5 overs on debut
- Gambhir’s main concern
- The pitch offered insufficient assistance to bowlers
- Gambhir’s proposed standard
- Bowlers should be assessed on execution, not only their figures