Yuzvendra Chahal calls for better pitches after West Indies chase 250
Chahal says flat pitches, dew and smaller boundaries leave bowlers with no assistance after West Indies chased 250 in Ranchi.
India spinner Yuzvendra Chahal said flat pitches and smaller boundaries are making it increasingly difficult for bowlers to compete in T20 cricket. Chahal spoke after West Indies chased down India's 249 for five in 18.3 overs in the second T20I in Ranchi.
Chahal noted that dew and the Impact Player rule compound the problem, with powerplay scores of 70 to 80 runs now common. He said either pitches need to offer something for bowlers or teams might as well install bowling machines.
India head coach Gautam Gambhir has made similar comments about the need for a fair contest between bat and ball. The third T20I takes place on Sunday in Indore, where boundaries are shorter than at Ranchi.
CricHubb Take
Chahal's suggestion of a bowling machine underscores how much the T20 format has shifted toward batting dominance, and how little control bowlers retain even when they execute their skills.