Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir slammed the Delhi pitch used for the second Test against the West Indies, citing its lack of support for fast bowlers. Despite this, the Indian bowlers managed to claim all 20 West Indian wickets, securing a seven-wicket win on the final day. Pace spearheads Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj shared seven wickets across 56 overs.
However, the Indian attack found it tough to make inroads during the West Indies’ second innings after enforcing the follow-on, having built a 270-run lead in the first innings. The visitors went on to score 390 runs in 118.5 overs, with the Delhi surface showing minimal wear and tear.
Commenting on the pitch at the post-match press conference, Gambhir told reporters (via RevSportz X handle):
“We could have had a better wicket here. There has to be something for the fast bowlers as well. You need them to be in the game, there wasn’t any carry in the wickets, to keep Test cricket alive we need good wickets.”
“Bowling Depends On Captain And Conditions” – Gambhir On Nitish Kumar Reddy
Gautam Gambhir stated that how much all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy bowls depends on the match conditions and the captain’s strategy. The 22-year-old, however, didn’t bowl a single over in either innings, even though India bowled over 200 overs in the game.
“Its important for a young player to play in home conditions as well. It is important to groom Nitish Kumar Reddy, not many seam bowling allrounders there. It depends on the captain and the conditions on how many overs he bowls,” said Gambhir (via the aforementioned source).
However, Nitish moved up the order in India’s first innings, scoring a quick 43 off 54 balls, but was largely underused, bowling just four overs in the match.
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