Gambhir Slams Flat Pitches After India’s Record ODI Chase: ‘This Is Not Cricket, This Is Only Batting’
India coach Gautam Gambhir did not hold back after his team’s record ODI chase, stating clearly that the conditions had turned the game into something far removed from traditional cricket.
Gambhir’s Direct Assessment of the Match
Gautam Gambhir described the entire contest with a pointed remark. He said the spectacle was not cricket at all, but simply batting. The comment came right after India completed their highest successful chase in ODI history.
The coach emphasised that the surface had offered almost nothing to the bowlers throughout the match. In his view, this lack of assistance made it impossible for bowlers to influence the outcome in any significant way.
Concerns Over Pitch Balance
Gambhir went further by calling the situation unfair. He noted that when wickets provide so little help to bowlers, the contest loses its essential balance. Bowlers, according to him, are left without any real tools to compete on equal terms.
This is not cricket, this is only batting
The statement captured his frustration with the way the game had unfolded. He stressed that such conditions prevent bowlers from having a meaningful impact, which he believes goes against the spirit of competitive cricket.
Why the Comment Matters to Fans
Indian supporters often look to the coach for honest reactions after high-scoring encounters. Gambhir’s words highlighted a recurring debate about pitch preparation and how it shapes modern limited-overs cricket.
- India achieved a record ODI chase under these conditions
- The coach highlighted the absence of assistance for bowlers
- He described the wickets as not fair to one side of the game
His remarks focused solely on the difficulty bowlers faced in trying to defend totals or create breakthroughs on unresponsive surfaces.
By repeating the core point in different ways, Gambhir made it clear that the imbalance was the central issue for him after the match. He did not elaborate on other aspects of the performance beyond this observation about the playing surface.