“Support for spinners …”, India coach Gautam Gambhir on the pitch debate ahead of the upcoming Tests

India coach Gautam Gambhir has asked for an end to the debate over Indian pitches ahead of the first Test against Bangladesh, which begins in Chennai on September 19. Gambhir made the remarks during a pre-match press conference.

“The thing is, when you go to places like Australia, England or South Africa, the test is over in two and a half days, then there is not so much talk.

“But when the opposition team comes to India and the Test match is over in two and a half days, we always say that the spinners are being given too much help,” he said.

Gambhir also claimed that no one could prepare a wicket and have the guarantee that the Test would last five days.

“If there is too much help for the fast bowler then nobody talks about it. So I think we need to be fair and clear on that. I don’t think there is anywhere in the world where you can prepare a wicket and say this Test is going to last for five days.”

“You have to have quality if you want a good Test. But you have to be able to play against spin on a winding track and you have to be able to bowl well and fast on a green track,” Gambhir added.

“I think this conversation or debate should end where people say there is too much support for spinners in India when Test matches are over in two and a half days. Opponents need to learn how to play against spinners rather than talking about changing the nature of the pitch,” the head coach concluded.

Currently top of the 2023-25 ​​WTC points table, India have a fantastic Test season ahead of them.

After the two Tests against Bangladesh, the Rohit Sharma-led side will host New Zealand. India will then travel to Australia in November for the much-anticipated five-Test Border-Gavaskar series, where they will be aiming to win a Test series for the third time in a row.