Gautam Gambhir has again voiced concerns over the lack of balance between bat and ball in international cricket. The India head coach’s remarks followed his side’s inability to defend a total of 249 in the second T20I against the West Indies in Ranchi. As the West Indies successfully chased down the target, marking the second-highest successful run chase in T20I history, Gambhir noted that flat pitches and heavy dew significantly hampered his bowling attack. According to while going on to praise the West Indian batting effort, he, India needed to find a way to defend totals against a power-packed unit, notwithstanding the challenges that the conditions presented.
Addressing the media, Gambhir questioned if the cricketing world truly desires a more equitable contest. He emphasized that for the game to remain competitive and for bowlers’ careers to remain sustainable, surfaces must offer something to both sides. “Don’t you want a good competition between bat and ball? We want what you want,” he stated. He added that the team is committed to improvement and refuses to hide behind excuses, noting that “you don’t shrug off any defeat.” “These bowlers are our bowlers…Their careers are also at stake. They have worked very hard to get into the dressing room.
Despite the difficult environment, Gambhir urged his bowlers to innovate and find tactical solutions to suppress opposition scoring. He specifically pointed to the team’s failure to capitalize on early breakthroughs, noting that India had managed to remove two West Indies wickets in the opening over and three within the powerplay. The loss was punctuated by a missed opportunity at short fine leg by Mayank Yadav, which allowed Sherfane Rutherford—then on 38—to survive and finish with a match-winning 84 off 37 balls.
Gambhir remained philosophical about the fielding error, maintaining that dropping catches is an unfortunate but inherent part of the sport. He refused to blame the outcome on individual mistakes, reiterating that such errors are rarely intentional. India entered the series with a catching efficiency of 74.3% for the 2026 season, ranking among the lowest for full-member nations, yet the coach emphasized collective accountability rather than individual finger-pointing.
On the positive side, Mayank Yadav provided a highlight for the hosts by spearheading the attack with a three-wicket performance. Regularly hitting speeds around 145 kph, he famously bowled Rovman Powell with a delivery clocked at 149.5 kph. Gambhir praised the youngster’s aggressive approach, signaling a preference for him to maintain high velocity rather than experiment with slower balls. “He’s a fast bowler and he should bowl like a fast bowler. If you can bowl 150, then bowl 150,” the coach remarked. We want what you want,” Gambhir remarked in a press conference after the match. “If you only want to see only sixes and fours, then we want to see that too.
Looking ahead, India has little time to analyze the setback as the series shifts to Indore. The squad is scheduled to face the West Indies for the third T20I this Sunday at a venue historically known for being a high-scoring ground, where the bowlers will again be tested.
