Gautam Gambhir’s ‘exactly the pitch we were looking for’ remark creates havoc! Head coach blames batters and not the pitch after loss to SA in Kolkata
The Indian Cricket Team head coach Gautam Gambhir’s statement after the team’s loss in the first Test against South Africa caught the attention of many. He came out in favour of the pitch which everyone has been criticising and instead blamed the batters.
Gautam Gambhir's comments came after India suffered a 30-run loss in the first Test against South Africa. In what was a tough pitch to bat on, both teams struggled to get going as the 200-run barrier failed to be breached across four innings.
South Africa, who batted first, posted just 159 in the first innings with Aiden Markram being the top run-getter with his innings of 31. India also had a similar kind of batting performance, scoring just 30 runs more with KL Rahul top scoring with 39.
With a deficit of 30, South Africa struggled in the second innings as well. Skipper Temba Bavuma scored a gritty fifty, taking his team to 153, setting a target of 124. Indian batters struggled big time, barring Washington Sundar, as they got all out for 93 to lose the game by 30 runs.
However, after the loss, Gautam Gambhir’s comments shocked everyone. He said that these are the kind of pitches they want to play on.
“This is exactly the pitch we were looking for. I feel the curator was very helpful, and this is exactly what we wanted and exactly what we got. When you don’t play well, this is what happens,” Gambhir said at the post-match press conference.
There were no demons in this wicket - Gautam Gambhir
Not only this, Gautam Gambhir shockingly said there were no demons in the pitch and pointed out how Temba Bavuma, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel scored runs. He added:
“There were no demons in this wicket. It was not unplayable. Temba Bavuma scored runs, and Axar and Washi also scored runs. The point is, there is no use talking about the pitch all the time. The majority of the wickets have gone to seamers. I don’t think it was a difficult wicket.
“This was a surface where your technique was tested, your mental toughness was challenged, and if you had the temperament to grind and bat long, you could score runs. But if you tried to play attacking cricket, then it became difficult.”
The second IND vs SA test, which will be played from 22nd November in Guwahati.
