‘Their careers are at stake’: Gambhir supports bowlers after India lose high-scoring Ranchi T20

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir voiced support for his bowlers following the team's loss in the second T20I against West Indies in Ranchi. This was only ten days after India had chased down a record 406-run target against the same opposition in Guwahati. The coach lamented the fact that the pitches were placid, leaving the bowlers with little to work with. Gambhir emphasized that the careers of the bowlers were at stake due to the poor balance between bat and ball.

Gambhir pointed out that the bowlers, who are not just foreign players but have also worked hard to be part of the team, were facing tough conditions. He stressed the importance of maintaining an even competition, which would lead to better cricket. He downplayed the impact of the toss under dewy conditions, but acknowledged that flat wickets with dew posed significant challenges.

The coach praised West Indies off-spinner Roston Chase for his crucial performance, claiming he bowled a game-defining spell, taking 3/24. He attributed Chase's success to his ability to change his lines, which kept the batters guessing. Gambhir reiterated that against strong teams like West Indies, it is crucial to find ways to defend totals, as bowling the same line and length would allow the opposition to settle in. He urged the team to keep varying their approach on such pitches, as variations are vital for success.