India secured a magnificent 8-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second ODI, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. However, despite the win, Indian team head coach Gautam Gambhir appeared dissatisfied with the pitch. He described the Guwahati surface as overly favorable to batsmen, stating that cricket should feature a better balance between bat and ball.
Batting first, the West Indies scored 405 runs. In response, India chased down the target, scoring 408 runs in just 43.3 overs. A total of over 800 runs were scored across both innings.
Gautam Gambhir remarked that such pitches offer little for bowlers
After the match, Gautam Gambhir remarked that such pitches offer little for bowlers. While he acknowledged that such a contest might seem spectacular for the audience and for record-breaking purposes, he—as both a coach and a cricket fan—wants the game to present challenges for the bowlers as well.
Gautam Gambhir also emphasized that a bowler’s performance should not be judged solely by statistics; if a bowler executes their plan effectively under difficult conditions, they deserve support.
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill played a pivotal role in India’s victory, scoring an unbeaten 223 off 133 balls—a record-breaking innings. Former captain Rohit Sharma also contributed significantly, scoring 101 runs off 75 balls. The duo shared a 255-run partnership for the first wicket.
For the West Indies, John Campbell, Shai Hope, and Amir Jangoo had scored centuries, yet India managed to chase down the target with ease. This marked only the second successful run-chase of a target of 400 or more runs in ODI cricket history.
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Gautam Gambhir also spoke about giving opportunities to debutant Aqib Nabi and young bowler Gurnoor Brar amidst these challenging conditions. He believes it is essential to test players in high-pressure matches as part of the preparations for the 2027 World Cup. India will now face the West Indies in the third ODI on Saturday at the PCA International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.
