India head coach Gautam Gambhir celebrated India’s epic 406-run chase, calling it fearless cricket on Instagram. After the match, Gambhir put up a story for Team India and celebrated the performances from Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill in particular.
Openers Rohit and Shubman put up commanding performances as India chased down 406 runs in just 43.3 overs. While Rohit hit 101, Shubman anchored the chase and produced a terrific double century, the fastest ever in ODI history. The duo added 255 runs for the first wicket, taking the game away from West Indies.
Gambhir credited the team on Instagram, stating that 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 had posted 405 for 6 in their 50 overs, with John Campbell, Shai Hope and Amir Jangoo all scoring centuries. Campbell and Hope put on 110 runs for the second wicket before Jangoo’s late assault helped West Indies post a daunting total.
But the target proved far from daunting on a flat Guwahati pitch. Rohit and Shubman tore into the West Indies attack from the beginning, putting on 255 runs in just 26 overs. Rohit reached his century before falling, but Shubman continued the assault and finished unbeaten on 223 off 133 balls.
His double century was the fastest in ODI cricket, and India completed the chase with 39 balls to spare to level the three-match series.
GAMBHIR’S CONCERNS OVER THE GUWAHATI PITCH
Despite celebrating India’s batting display, Gambhir had been far 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 of a contest between bat and ball.
“Look, if I have to be absolutely honest, I feel I think there has to be a bit of more contest between bat and ball, because I think you talk about cricket – but this is not cricket, this is only batting,” Gambhir said.
India had also struggled to make an impact with the ball after winning the toss and opting to bowl first. Campbell and Hope’s 110-run partnership gave West Indies a strong start, while their middle order capitalised on the conditions to take the total beyond 400.
For Gambhir, the concern went beyond India’s bowling performance. He questioned the wider preference for high-scoring games and the impact such pitches can have on young bowlers.
“Because imagine a young bowler bowling on this wicket, and the opposition getting 400 and then we go on to chase 400. Obviously, for the records it’s outstanding, for the crowd it’s outstanding, for the broadcaster it’s outstanding, but if you ask me as a genuine cricket fan and as a coach, because I have to have sympathy for the bowlers as well,” he said.
Gambhir’s comments come amid a wider debate around the balance between bat and ball in ODI cricket. The Guwahati match was the latest high-scoring contest to leave bowlers with limited room for error, while the conditions have also prompted questions about India’s preparation ahead of next year’s ODI World Cup in South Africa.
India will now head into the third and final ODI with the series level, having followed a 405-run West Indies total with one of the most dominant chases of the year.
– Ends
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