Former India chief selector Chetan Sharma has called upon the Board of Control for Cricket in India to focus more on bowler-friendly conditions, reacting to the heavy run-scoring seen during the ongoing five-match T20I series between India and the West Indies. The matches have witnessed multiple scores exceeding the 200-run mark, putting immense pressure on bowling attacks.
- Teams have conceded totals exceeding 200 runs in three out of the first four matches.
- In the second T20I, West Indies chased down a target of 250 with nine balls remaining.
- Chetan Sharma emphasized that supportive wickets are vital for fair competition.
- Sharma also backed veteran players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The Call For Fair Contests
Addressing the dominance of batters in the shortest format, Sharma acknowledged that spectators enjoy boundaries and maximums, but warned that bowlers require adequate assistance to keep the game competitive. Referencing specific encounters in the series where massive totals were chased down with absolute ease, he highlighted the urgent necessity for more balanced surfaces in international fixtures.
According to the former selector, domestic cricket under the Indian board successfully incorporates supportive tracks, and a similar approach should be adopted at the international level to prevent matches from becoming entirely one-sided affairs. He noted that when targets around 250 are overhauled with overs to spare, it demoralizes bowling units.
Support For Senior Stars
Aside from pitching conditions, Sharma commented on the longevity of senior India internationals Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Dismissing ongoing debates regarding their age, he stressed that current form and match-winning capabilities should be the primary metrics for selection as the team plans for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Both players recently recorded centuries in the ODI format against the same opposition, proving their enduring value to the national setup.
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