India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir didn’t mince his words when expressing disappointment over the pitch conditions at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium during the second Test against the West Indies. Known for his straightforward approach, Gambhir described the surface’s behaviour over the five days as “alarming,” particularly highlighting the lack of help for fast bowlers.

While India eventually secured a seven-wicket victory, Gambhir stressed that good, balanced wickets were essential to ensure the survival and competitiveness of Test cricket. The contrast between the first and second Tests was striking. The Ahmedabad pitch, which had a green tinge, produced an exciting low-scoring contest that wrapped up in just two and a half days.

However, in Delhi, batters ruled the roost. With the surface offering little seam movement or bounce, four centuries were scored and over 1,280 runs were accumulated across five days. While fans enjoyed the run-fest, Gambhir saw a worrying trend — the diminishing role of fast bowlers in Indian conditions.

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“I thought we could have had a better wicket here,” Gautam Gambhir said after the match. “Even though we got a result on Day 5, I think there has to be something for the pacers. The nicks need to carry, and there should be consistent bounce. We often speak about the importance of spinners, but when you have two quality fast bowlers in your ranks, you still want them to be in the game.”

He further emphasised the need for accountability, adding, “The lack of carry was alarming. As we advance, we must ensure better wickets because all of us share the responsibility of keeping Test cricket alive. The first step is playing on good, competitive surfaces.”

The Delhi Test also marked the inclusion of young all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who impressed with a brisk 43 off 54 balls but didn’t get a chance to bowl. Defending the team’s decision, Gambhir explained that Nitish’s selection was more about exposure and grooming than workload management.

“It’s not about how many overs he bowls; it’s about gaining experience. We don’t want to use a 23-year-old only on tough overseas tours. He deserves opportunities in home conditions too.”

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Highlighting India’s long-standing search for a genuine seam-bowling all-rounder, Gautam Gambhir concluded, “We’ll continue grooming him whenever we get the chance. Seam-bowling all-rounders are rare, and nurturing players like Nitish is vital for India’s future balance in Test cricket.”