Gambhir urges fairer bat and ball contest after Ranchi chase

India coach Gautam Gambhir called for a more even contest between bat and ball after the West Indies chased down a target of 250 in the second T20 International in Ranchi, winning by six wickets with nine balls remaining and levelling the five-match series at 1-1. Gambhir said batting-friendly conditions could put bowlers’ careers at stake, arguing that players work hard to reach the international level and deserve conditions in which both disciplines can compete. His comments followed a match in which the teams scored 501 runs and hit 33 sixes in 38.3 overs. The coach also said India could not use difficult bowling conditions as an excuse for the defeat. He said the team needed to find a way to defend large totals, even when a flat pitch and dew made bowling more difficult, and credited the West Indies batters for their performance. India had reduced the visitors to 5 for 2 in the first over and 58 for 3 inside the powerplay. Shai Hope then made an unbeaten 102 from 45 balls, while Sherfane Rutherford scored 84 from 37 deliveries, guiding the chase. Mayank Yadav took three wickets for 36 runs in three overs for India.