India coach Gambhir celebrates India’s intrepid cricket in Guwahati ODI

India head coach Gautam Gambhir celebrated India’s impressive 406-run chase and called it fearless cricket on Instagram. After the match, Gambhir narrated the story for Team India and celebrated the performances of Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill in particular.

Openers Rohit and Shubman put in commanding performances as India plundered 406 runs in just 43.3 overs. While Rohit made 101, Shubman anchored the chase and produced a stunning double century, the fastest in ODI history. The duo added 255 runs for the first wicket, putting the game away from the West Indies.

Crediting the team on Instagram, Gambhir said it was a performance to be proud of.

“Shubman’s historic double. Rohit’s commanding hundred. Fearless cricket. A win to be proud of!” Gambhir wrote on Instagram.

India’s emphatic victory came after West Indies posted 405 for 6 in their 50 overs, with John Campbell, Shai Hope and Amir Jangoo scoring centuries. Campbell and Hope put on 110 runs for the second wicket before Jangoo’s late strike helped West Indies post a daunting total.

But on the flat Guwahati pitch, the target was far from daunting. Rohit and Shubman threw themselves into the West Indies attack from the start and put on 255 runs in just 26 overs. Rohit reached his century before falling, but Shubman continued to attack and finished unbeaten on 223 from 133 balls.

His double century was the fastest in ODI cricket and India completed the chase in 39 balls to level the three-match series.

GAMBHIRA’S CONCERNS ABOUT THE GUWAHATI COURSE

Despite the celebrations of India’s batting display, Gambhir was much less impressed with the conditions when he spoke to the broadcaster after the match.

The 811-run run-fest left little room for the bowlers to influence the game and Gambhir questioned whether the pitch provided enough bat-to-ball matchup.

“Look, to be completely honest, I feel like I think there needs to be a bit more competition between the bat and the ball because I think you’re talking about cricket – but this isn’t cricket, this is just batting,” Gambhir said.

India also looked to hit with the ball after winning the toss and electing to field first. Campbell and Hope’s 110-run partnership gave West Indies a strong start while their middle order benefited from the conditions to push the total past 400.

As for Gambhir, the concern went beyond India’s bowling performances. He questioned the wider preference for high-scoring games and the impact such pitches can have on young pitchers.

“Because imagine a young bowler on that wicket and the opposition get 400 and then we go on to chase 400. Obviously for the records it’s excellent, for the audience it’s excellent, for the broadcasters it’s excellent but if you ask me as a real cricket fan and as a coach because I have to have compassion for the bowler,” he said of the bowler.

Gambhir’s comments come amid a wider debate about the balance between bat and ball in ODI cricket. The match in Guwahati was the latest high-scoring contest that left the bowlers with limited room for error, while the conditions also raised questions about India’s preparation for next year’s ODI World Cup in South Africa.

India will now head into the third and final ODI with the series level after following up a total of 405 runs in the West Indies with one of the most dominant runs of the year.

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