WEST INDIES TOUR OF INDIA, 2025
India were on the field for 200.4 overs across the two innings in Delhi © AFP
India wrapped up their 2-0 series sweep inside the first hour of the fifth day but head coach Gautam Gambhir pointed out that the Delhi pitch could’ve been better. After a 3-0 drubbing at home in the hands of New Zealand where there was a lot of spin on offer, India produced flatter surfaces in both Ahmedabad and Delhi. In Ahmedabad, West Indies suffered from two poor batting performances, folding in 44.1 and 45.1 overs. But they arrived in Delhi having learnt some lessons, and showed better application on a pitch that appeared even flatter.
Gambhir took a serious objection to the lack of carry on it. “I thought that we could have had a better wicket here,” Gambhir said. “Yes, we did get the result on Day 5, but again, I think nicks need to carry.”
India were on the field for 200.4 overs across the two innings in Delhi, with 118.5 of them in the second innings after Shubman Gill enforced follow-on. Bumrah sent down 31.5 in the fixture, while Siraj bowled 24. They still produced incredible moments out of nothing, but were often blunted by the batters who got behind the line of the ball rather easily. “I think there has to be something for the fast bowlers as well,” Gambhir offered. “I know we keep talking about spinners playing an important role, but when you’ve got probably two quality fast bowlers in your ranks, you still want them to be in the game as well. And it is okay that there’s not enough, but there has to be carry. So where we all saw, I thought the carry wasn’t there, which was a bit alarming.”
“And I think going forward, we can get better wickets in Test cricket because all of us have the responsibility of keeping Test cricket alive. I think the first and foremost thing to keep Test cricket alive is playing on good surfaces,” he added.
The pitch could be in focus when India next play a Test at home – the first fixture against South Africa in Kolkata starting on November 14.
© Cricbuzz
