'Their careers are at stake as well': Gautam Gambhir breaks silence after India's defeat

Mayank Yadav finished with three wickets in three overs but conceded 36 runs at an economy rate of 12.00. (Image credit: Agencies)

NEW DELHI: Mayank Yadav's fiery opening spell was one of the positives for India in their second T20I against the West Indies in Ranchi on Friday. The fast bowler regularly clocked speeds above 140 kmph and took two wickets off successive deliveries in the first over, dismissing Kamil Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer. He later bowled Rovman Powell with a delivery clocked at 149 kmph. Mayank finished with three wickets in three overs but conceded 36 runs at an economy rate of 12.00. Despite his early strikes, India failed to defend 249 as the West Indies chased down the target to win by six wickets. India head coach Gautam Gambhir said the match could not be judged by what happened in the opening over.

"I have played enough cricket to know that games are not decided in the first over. Obviously, the West Indies are a strong T20 side. We respect them, and we know how dangerous they are. Games are not won or lost in the first over. A game of cricket is won or lost by the way you play consistently over the course of 40 overs," Gambhir said at the post match conference.

Gambhir also backed Mayank to continue bowling at his natural pace instead of holding back.

"A fast bowler should bowl like a fast bowler. He is not a slower bowler," he said. "If you can bowl at 150 kmph, bowl at 150. If you can bowl at 120, bowl at 120. When you are playing as a fast bowler, it is your duty to bowl fast, like a fast bowler," he added. "That is what he did today, and that is why he was successful," Gambhir said.

'Their careers are at stake as well'

Gambhir also spoke about the need for a better contest between bat and ball after another high-scoring match. He had earlier described the Guwahati pitch as a featherbed. Asked whether India wanted better pitches, Gambhir said he wanted conditions that gave both batters and bowlers a fair chance.

"Don't you want a good competition between the bat and the ball? Of course, we want what you want. If you want to see sixes and fours, we want to see that as well. If you want an even contest between bat and ball, we want that too.

"The bowlers are our bowlers. They are not foreign bowlers. Their careers are at stake as well. They have worked hard, just like everyone else in the dressing room. If there is an even contest between bat and ball, it will be good. We will get to see better cricket."