‘To keep Test cricket alive we need…’- Gautam Gambhir slams Delhi pitch following India’s victory in 2nd Test vs West Indies
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir expressed concerns about the Arun Jaitley Stadium pitch during the second Test versus West Indies, criticizing it for providing minimal assistance to pacers and making bowling particularly challenging.
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir voiced his displeasure over the pitch conditions at the Arun Jaitley Stadium during the second Test against the West Indies. He felt the surface offered little to no support for the fast bowlers throughout the match.
According to Gambhir, the lack of pace and bounce made it difficult for Indian pacers to make an impact, forcing the spinners to shoulder most of the bowling workload. Despite the challenges, India managed to secure a hard-fought win by seven wickets on the final day of play.
The former Indian opener emphasized the importance of preparing more balanced wickets that provide equal opportunities for both batters and bowlers. Gambhir believes such pitches would not only improve the quality of cricket but also help pacers develop vital skills required for overseas tours, where conditions are often more challenging and demanding for subcontinent bowlers.
Gautam Gambhir Criticizes Delhi Pitch for Unfavorable Playing Conditions:
India’s leading pacers, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, shared seven wickets between them over 56 overs. Despite enforcing the follow-on after building a 270-run lead in the first innings, the Indian bowling attack found it challenging to make significant breakthroughs in the West Indies’ second innings. The visitors managed 390 runs in 118.5 overs, with the Delhi pitch showing very little wear and offering minimal assistance to the bowlers.
Speaking at the post-match press conference after the second Test, head coach Gautam Gambhir commented on the surface, highlighting its lack of support for fast bowlers and suggesting that more balanced wickets would create better contests between bat and ball. His observations emphasized the need for pitches that encourage competitive cricket and test all aspects of the game fairly.
Gautam Gambhir said, “ We could have had a better wicket here. There has to be something for the fast bowlers as well. You need them to be in the game, there wasn’t any carry in the wickets, to keep Test cricket alive we need good wickets.”
India dominated the series opener in Ahmedabad, wrapping up victory in just three days by an innings and 140 runs. Although the Delhi Test posed occasional challenges for the bowling attack, the hosts secured a convincing 2-0 series triumph over the West Indies.
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