Gautam Gambhir says Barsapara pitch favours batsmen as India chases 406

India's head coach Gautam Gambhir blasted the Barsapara Stadium track on Wednesday, calling it a batsman's paradise after India chased a record 406 against the West Indies. Shubman Gill anchored the chase with a double hundred while former captain Rohit Sharma recorded his 35th career century. West Indies' John Campbell, skipper Shai Hope and rising star Amir Jangoo also each reached a ton on the same lifeless surface. Gambhir told Parthiv Patel in a JioStar interview that "there has to be a bit more contest between bat and ball. This is not cricket, this is only batting." He added that while the high total pleased the crowd, it was unfair to bowlers who had "nothing" to work with. He highlighted the lack of margin for bowlers, noting the impact of five fielders inside the circle, the use of two new balls and modern power‑hitting. The coach said his first job is to check whether bowlers executed their plans, but stressed that without some support bowlers cannot develop. He pointed out that debutant Aqib Nabi was playing his first game and that "there wasn't much for any bowler in this game."

Context

Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati has been criticised for offering little assistance to bowlers, a concern that can affect player development and the balance of future matches.