Sports · Cricket · 1 day ago
Chahal says T20 pitches leave bowlers with too little help
India scored 249 for five against West Indies in the second T20 international in Ranchi, but West Indies reached the target in 18.3 overs and won by six wickets.
Shai Hope made an unbeaten 102, and Sherfane Rutherford scored 84.
The win levelled the five-match series at 1-1.
India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal said flat pitches, small grounds and dew give bowlers too little help.
He also criticised the Indian Premier League’s Impact Player rule, saying it adds to the advantage for batters.
Chahal said pitches should offer bowlers more assistance, or their skills have little effect.
India are due to play the third match in Indore on Sunday.
Yuzvendra Chahal said T20 pitches and conditions are giving bowlers too little help.
He pointed to flat pitches, dew, smaller grounds and the Impact Player rule as factors favouring batters.
His comments followed the West Indies’ six-wicket win over India in the second T20I in Ranchi.
India scored 249/5, but the West Indies reached the target in 18.3 overs to level the five-match series at 1-1.
Chahal said pitches should offer bowlers more assistance, or teams might as well use a bowling machine.
- Who
- India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.
- What
- He criticised T20 conditions that he said leave bowlers with little assistance.
- When
- He made the comments after the second T20I on Friday; the articles were published on October 10, 2026.
- Where
- The match was played in Ranchi, India. Chahal spoke to JioStar.
- Why
- He said flat pitches, dew, smaller grounds and the Impact Player rule favour batters and make it harder for bowlers to use their skills.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
On such wickets, there’s nothing for the bowlers. When the ball gets old, there’s dew, the ball comes nicely onto the bat, and the grounds are getting smaller
So, what should bowlers do? What is the use of their skill?
So, either you have to have something for the bowlers in the wicket, or else just install a bowling machine
India scored 249/5 in the second T20I in Ranchi, but the West Indies chased the target in 18.3 overs and won by six wickets.
Chahal criticised the conditions for offering bowlers too little help and called for pitches to provide more assistance.
- India’s total
- 249/5
- West Indies chase
- 250 in 18.3 overs
- Match result
- West Indies won by six wickets
- Series score
- 1-1 in a five-match series
- Shai Hope’s innings
- Unbeaten 102 off 45 balls
- Chahal’s suggested remedy
- Offer bowlers help from the pitch or install a bowling machine
Sources
"Install A Bowling Machine": Yuzvendra Chahal's Explosive Rant As West Indies Chase Down 250 vs India
'Just Use Bowling Machines': Pressure On Indian Cricket To Improve Pitches
'Just install a bowling machine': Chahal’s blunt take on pitches after WI chase down 250
Just install bowling machine: Chahal on flat surfaces having nothing for bowlers
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