“If you’re obsessed with them, who would want to be a bowler?” - Gautam Gambhir on batters hogging all the limelight
Gautam Gambhir recently pointed out how Team India pacers have grabbed headlines for their imperious run at the 2023 World Cup. He opined that it was crucial to appreciate the efforts of the bowlers.
Highlighting that the game has become batting-friendly of late, Gambhir claimed that if the focus continued to remain on batters, youngsters would have stopped aspiring to be bowlers.
Gambhir made these remarks during an appearance on ANI's podcast. He said:
"One good thing that has happened in this World Cup is that we have started talking about our bowlers. It was high time. If it had continued, nobody would have aspired to become a bowler. If you are obsessed with them, who would want to be a bowler? The rules in ODI cricket were changed to make it more batting-friendly. Also, even in the IPL, you have seen that batters get the most money."
The Indian bowlers played a pivotal role in India's 10-match winning streak in the World Cup. Lavishing praise on fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj for their bowling exploits, Gambhir elaborated:
"People say why can't India produce fast bowlers like Pakistan or other countries? I believe that the three pacers that we have now, probably they are the best fast bowling unit in the world. I am really glad that now we can actually talk about fast bowlers, and I hope it is not only about numbers; it is about looking at the next generation as well."
Shami was the pick of the bowlers at the 2023 World Cup, finishing as the leading wicket-taker of the edition with 24 wickets from just seven outings.
"If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in very good form, they should absolutely be picked for the T20 World Cup" - Gautam Gambhir
During the podcast, Gautam Gambhir also stated that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli should only be picked in the squad for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup if they are in good form.
Emphasising the importance of picking in-form players in the 20-over format, he added:
"They should play only if they are in good form. For me, form is very, very important. For a T20 World Cup, you want to take players who are in very good form. If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in very good form, they should absolutely be picked for the T20 World Cup."
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have been absent from India's T20I team since the 2022 T20 World Cup. It remains to be seen if they make a return to the side for next year's ICC event.