Source cricinfo
India pull off a record-breaking run chase, but head coach Gautam Gambhir is far from thrilled about the state of white-ball cricket.
Moments after the Men in Blue chased down a massive target with ease, Gambhir made his feelings clear to reporters: modern pitches and rules are turning the sport into a one-sided hitting contest.
“This is not cricket, this is only batting,” Gambhir remarked, pointing out how the balance between bat and ball has tilted entirely toward the batters.
A Run Feast Under the Lights
The match was an absolute spectacle for casual fans. Boundaries rained all evening as the batting lineup tore through the opposition attack, overhauling the towering target with overs to spare. Every bowler who ran in was met with powerful hitting, flat pitches, and rock-hard bats.
Yet behind the celebratory fireworks, the match raised serious concerns about whether bowlers still have any real chance in the modern limited-overs game.
A Game Without Balance
Gambhir, known throughout his career for his fierce competitive edge and traditional cricketing values, did not mince words when discussing the surface and match conditions.
“If bowlers are just there to deliver the ball and get hit into the stands, we are losing the soul of the sport,” Gambhir explained. “Cricket is meant to be a test of skill between two sides. When the pitch offers zero help for seam, swing, or spin, it stops being a genuine contest. It becomes purely batting practice.”
He highlighted how flat tracks, short boundaries, and heavy bats have combined to leave bowlers almost defenseless.
Fans Divided Over the Spectacle
The comments sparked an instant debate across the cricketing world:
In favor of the fans: Many viewers love high-scoring thrillers filled with sixes and rapid centuries, arguing that boundary-heavy games bring the biggest entertainment value.
In defense of bowlers: Traditionalists and former bowlers agree with Gambhir, warning that if bowlers become mere bowling machines, 350-plus scores will soon feel routine and boring.
Gambhir stressed that cricket is at its best when a bowler can challenge a batter with bounce, movement, and sharp turn. For the former World Cup winner, an epic chase is sweet, but preserving the fairness of the game matters far more.
