‘Their careers are at stake’: Gautam Gambhir defends Indian bowlers after defeat

Mayank Yadav finished with three wickets in three overs but conceded 36 runs at an economy rate of 12.00. (Image credit: Agencies) NEW DELHI: Mayank Yadav’s fiery opening spell was one of the positives for India in their second T20I against West Indies in Ranchi on Friday. The fast bowler regularly clocked over 140 km/h and took two successive wickets in the first race, dismissing Kamil Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer. He later overtook Rovman Powell with a delivery clocked at 149 km/h.Mayank finished with three wickets in three overs but conceded 36 runs at an economy rate of 12.00.Despite his early knocks, India failed to defend 249 as West Indies chased down the target to win by six wickets.India head coach Gautam Gambhir said that the match cannot be judged by what happened in the opening session.“I have played enough cricket to know that games are not decided in the first match. Obviously, West Indies are a strong T20 side. We respect them and know how dangerous they are. Games are not won or lost in the first match. Cricket is won or lost by how you play consistently over the course of 40 overs,” Gambhir said at the post-match conference.Gambhir also backed Mayank to continue bowling at his natural pace instead of holding back.“A fast bowler should bowl like a fast bowler. There is no slower bowler,” he said.“When you can bowl at 150kph, bowl at 150. If you can bowl at 120, bowl at 120. When you play as a fast bowler, it’s your responsibility to bowl fast like a fast bowler,” he added.“That’s what he did today and that’s why he was successful,” Gambhir said.

“Their careers are also at stake”

Gambhir also spoke about the need for a better bat-to-ball matchup after another high-scoring match. He had earlier described the Guwahati pitch as a duvet.Asked if India wanted a better pitch, Gambhir said he wanted conditions that gave both batsmen and bowlers a fair chance.“Don’t you want a good bat-to-ball contest? Of course we want what you want. If you want to see sixes and fours, we want to see that too. If you want a close bat-to-ball contest, we want that too.“The bowlers are our bowlers. They are not foreign bowlers. Their careers are also at stake. They have worked hard, as has everyone else in the dressing room. If there is an even match between bat and ball, that will be good. We will see better cricket.”

Who impressed you the most in the T20I against West Indies?

More than 3,000 users shared the opinion today

More than 5,000 users have already voted today

More than 3,000 users shared the opinion today

Share an opinion