Head coach Gautam Gambhir wants Indian Test surfaces to offer “bounce and carry”, arguing that fast bowlers – and, by extension, Test cricket itself – benefit when a nick actually reaches the slips. His remarks followed India’s seven-wicket victory over West Indies in Delhi, a match in which his bowlers toiled for nearly 200 overs across the two Caribbean innings.
“I thought that we could have had a better wicket here,” Gambhir said, conceding that the contest stretched to a fifth day largely because of a lifeless surface. “Yes, we did get the result on day five, but again, I think nicks need to carry. I think there has to be something for the fast bowlers as well. I know we keep talking about spinners playing an important role, but when you have got probably two quality fast bowlers in your ranks, we still want them to be in the game as well.”
The push for more balanced pitches is not entirely new. India changed tack after last year’s 3-0 loss in New Zealand, moving away from so-called “square turners” to strips offering something for everyone. Ahmedabad provided seamers and spinners equal encouragement in the first Test of this series, yet Delhi felt flat by comparison. Gambhir did not mince words. “And it is okay if there is not enough [turn], but there has to be carry. So where we all saw [that] carry wasn’t there, [it] was a bit alarming, and I think going forward, [I hope] 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.”
West Indies go home beaten 2-0 but arguably richer for the experience. They were dismissed cheaply in Ahmedabad, then batted more than 120 overs in their second dig in Delhi. Gambhir applauded the fight. “I have always believed that world cricket needs West Indian cricket,” he said. “That is something which is very important. It was very nice to see them fight. And obviously, they are an inexperienced team and there are a lot of changes that have happened there, but the way they fought in the second innings will give them a lot of confidence.”
Gill’s growing brief
Shubman Gill, standing in for the injured Rohit Sharma, has what Gambhir called “done phenomenally well” in his first assignment as Test captain. The 25-year-old managed field placements, bowling changes and a tidy half-century, all while switching formats almost weekly. There is no rest, either; India head to Australia for white-ball fixtures before returning for a full home series against South Africa.
Preparation remains a theme. Gambhir praised those red-ball specialists who found competitive overs wherever possible. “I thought that the best thing that happened in the [West Indies] series was the way the Test guys prepared before the series. Going to play the India A game against Australia [A], it was very, very important. And playing Ranji Trophy before the South Africa series is going to be equally important as well.”
Domestic matches, he believes, bridge the gap between fitness work and Test rhythm. “I thought that is something which this group of players have done exceptionally well. They are preparing themselves really well for the Test series, and that is where you could see the results as well. So, for me, I think sometimes it is difficult, but that is what professionalism is all about: try and use the days to the best of their ability, because we know that there are very quick turnarounds.”
India’s schedule rarely slows, yet the head coach feels the path forward is straightforward enough: better pitches, solid preparation and, when possible, a touch of pace and bounce to keep everyone honest.
