We want what you want: Gautam Gambhir’s 2nd bid in 10 days after Ranchi run fest

“This is not cricket, this is just batting.

It was just 10 days ago that Gautam Gambhir made this statement in Guwahati. He saw his Indian team complete a sensational chase of 406 runs in just 43.3 overs. A total of 811 runs were scored that day in 93.3 overs.

IND vs WI, 2nd T20I: Highlights | Scorecard

Now, October 9, witnessed another running fest in Ranchi. A total of 501 runs were scored in just 38.3 overs as West Indies reached 250 with ease, setting a record for the second highest run total in T20I cricket. Apart from Roston Chase, all the bowlers from both teams escaped runs at an economical rate of over 10. While the dew can be considered a factor, the issue of competitive wickets reared its head again.

And for the second time in 10 days, Gambhir defended an even match between bat and ball. The Indian coach said in the post-match press conference that he understands the fans’ demand.

Gambhir said that such conditions threaten the careers of bowlers and he wants to see better cricket.

“Don’t you want a good bat-to-ball contest? We want what you want,” Gambhir remarked at the post-match press conference. “If you want to see only sixes and fours, then we want to see that too. If you want a balanced competition, then we want that too.”

“These bowlers are our bowlers, their careers are also at stake. They have worked very hard to get into the dressing room. It’s not like they haven’t worked hard. So if there is even competition, it will be good. And we will see better cricket.”

‘WE NEED TO FIND A WAY’

However, Gambhir was quick to point out that the surface cannot be solely responsible for the result. He acknowledged West Indies’ batting prowess but stressed that India must find ways to defend big units against a formidable batting line-up even when the conditions are not in their favour.

“You don’t shrug off any defeat,” he said. “If you want to keep getting better, you don’t want to sweep anything under the rug. We’re a world champion team, so we want to keep getting better.”

“And obviously it’s tough bowling conditions. We know flat wickets with dew, obviously it’s tough. But we’ve got to figure out a way to try and stop the opposition, especially when they’ve lost two wickets in the first over and then lost three in the first six.”

India will take on West Indies in the 3rd T20I on October 11 in Indore.

– The end