Gautam Gambhir sounds alarm after Ranchi T20I: Bowlers' careers are at stake

Indian men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir has once again raised concerns over flat pitches, following the team’s crushing defeat in the second T20I against West Indies in Ranchi. The Men in Blue failed to defend a huge score of 249/5 as West Indies comfortably completed the second successful run chase in the format in 18.3 overs.

Captain Shai Hope led from the front with his second T20I century, scoring an unbeaten 102* off 45 balls, with the help of six fours and nine sixes. He was well-supported by Sherfane Rutherford (84 off 37), with the duo stitching a massive 120-run stand for the fourth wicket off 54 balls.

Courtesy of their effort, West Indies registered their highest successful run chase, bringing an end to India’s ten consecutive T20I match-winning streak. Following India’s defeat, Gambhir lent his support to the Indian bowlers, saying that their careers are at stake.

"You don't want a good bat-and-ball competition? What you want to see, that's also what we want to see. We also want to see an even contest. These bowlers are our bowlers, not someone else's bowlers. Their careers are at stake, they have worked hard to sit in this dressing room. If it's an even competition, we'll see a better game of cricket,” said Gambhir in the post-match press conference.

India had got off to a great start with the ball as Mayank Yadav (3/36) reduced West Indies to 5/2 in the first over itself and later got rid of Rovman Powell to leave the visitors on 58/3 after 5.1 overs.

We need to figure out a way: Gambhir

Gambhir credited West Indies for recovering from their early blows and highlighted the tough conditions for bowlers due to the flat wicket, with the dew making it worse.

"You don't shrug off any defeat. If you want to keep improving, you don't want to put anything under the carpet. We are a world-champion team, so we want to keep improving. These are obviously tough conditions to bowl - we know flat wickets with the dew - obviously it's tough but we need to figure out and find the way. Especially with the opposition having lost two wickets in the first over and then lost three wickets in the powerplay,” said Gambhir.

"But again, credit to West Indies; the way Shai Hope and Sherfane batted, we know they are world-class batters, especially in the format. It was tough on us but we're going to keep improving,” he added.

Meanwhile, following their win, West Indies have drawn level 1-1 in the five-match series. The third T20I will be played on Sunday, October 11, at Holkar Stadium, Indore.