India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has supported head coach Gautam Gambhir’s call for better cricket pitches, saying modern-day cricket is increasingly tilted towards batters. Following the high-scoring India-West Indies T20I in Ranchi, Chahal questioned the lack of assistance for bowlers and called for conditions that create a fairer contest between bat and ball.
India scored 249/5 in the second T20I on October 9, but West Indies chased down the target in 18.3 overs to win by six wickets. Captain Shai Hope smashed an unbeaten 102 off 45 deliveries, while Sherfane Rutherford scored 84 off 37 balls. The match produced 501 runs and saw West Indies complete the second-highest successful run chase in men's T20I history, according to the source report.
Speaking on JioStar's Haier Cricket Live, Chahal said flat pitches, dew and smaller grounds make life increasingly difficult for bowlers. He argued that when the ball becomes easier to hit and boundaries are shorter, bowlers have fewer opportunities to demonstrate their skills.
Chahal also referred to the Indian Premier League, where high-scoring matches and the Impact Player rule have added to the challenge for bowlers. He recalled a time when totals of 170-180 were competitive, contrasting that with today's matches, in which teams can score 70-80 runs during the first six overs.
His pointed suggestion was that if pitches offer nothing to bowlers, organisers might as well “install a bowling machine” — a remark highlighting his frustration with the current balance of the game.
Gambhir Calls for a Fair Contest Between Bat and Ball
Chahal's comments echo Gambhir's concerns about batter-friendly conditions. The India head coach had raised similar objections after the second ODI against West Indies in Guwahati on September 30, when the teams scored a combined 811 runs. India won that match by four wickets while chasing 406.
Gambhir argued that cricket should provide a genuine contest between bat and ball rather than become a spectacle dominated by boundaries. Following the Ranchi T20I, he acknowledged that fans enjoy sixes and fours but maintained that balanced conditions would produce better cricket.
The debate highlights a wider question for the sport: how can pitches preserve exciting high-scoring entertainment while giving bowlers enough assistance to make skill, variation and tactical planning decisive?
India Prepare for the Third T20I
India will look to recover from the Ranchi defeat in the third T20I against West Indies on Sunday, October 11, at the Holkar Stadium in Indore. With the series finely poised, the match will offer another opportunity for India to adjust their bowling plans and challenge the visitors' aggressive batting approach.
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