Yuzvendra Chahal backs Gautam Gambhir’s call for better pitches after high-scoring Ranchi T20I

Yuzvendra Chahal, the leg-spinner, backed India head coach Gautam Gambhir’s demand for better pitches after the high-scoring second T20I between India and West Indies in Ranchi on October 9, arguing that modern-day cricket is increasingly tilting in favour of batters.

India posted 249 for five in the match, but Shai Hope’s unbeaten 102 off 45 balls and Sherfane Rutherford’s 84 off 37 deliveries propelled West Indies to a six-wicket win in 18.3 overs; the contest produced 501 runs and completed the second-highest successful run chase in men’s T20I history.

Speaking on JioStar's ‘Haier Cricket Live’, Chahal said: “On such wickets, there's nothing for the bowlers. When the ball gets old, there's dew, the ball comes nicely onto the bat, and the grounds are getting smaller. We've seen this in the IPL as well, with 260 being chased in 19 overs. In this game too, 250 got chased down easily in 18.3 overs.”

Chahal continued: “So, what should bowlers do? What is the use of their skill? I feel for them, because I am a bowler too and when I bowl in the IPL, on small grounds with flat wickets, you have an Impact Player as well. Earlier, when the Impact Player rule was not there, you used to see 50 runs in six overs, and 170-180 was a fighting total. “But these days, 70-80 runs are scored in the first six overs, and the game is done there itself. So, either you have to have something for the bowlers in the wicket, or else just install a bowling machine,” Chahal added.

Gambhir had raised similar concerns after the second ODI against West Indies in Guwahati on September 30, when the teams combined for 811 runs and India won by four wickets while chasing 406; he said: "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," and he reiterated after the Ranchi T20I that he understood fans enjoy sixes and fours while stressing an even contest would produce better cricket.

India will attempt to level the series and seize a 2-1 lead in the third T20I scheduled for Sunday, October 11, at the Holkar Stadium in Indore.