Gautam Gambhir declares modern cricket as the 'Era of Bowlers'; calls for end to batters' obsession

Ahead of the much-anticipated first Test between India and New Zealand, Indian cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir has made a bold statement on the significance of bowlers in the modern era.

Gambhir made it clear that the traditional obsession with batters needs to be left behind as cricket moves into a new era. With the longest format of the game undergoing a transformation in the past decade, Gambhir has boldly said that it is the era of bowlers and the batters only set the game.

Gautam Gambhir urges end of batters' obsession in cricket

Reflecting on recent Test matches, including India's dominant win over Bangladesh in Kanpur, Gautam Gambhir highlighted how red-ball cricket has evolved. Despite weather setbacks that cost more than two days of play in Kanpur, the Indian cricket team didn't hesitate to attack from the get-go.

The spinners, in a stunning display of skill, demolished Bangladesh by taking 20 wickets, proving once again that it is bowlers who seal victories, not batters. India had won that match by seven wickets to complete a 2-0 clean sweep of Bangladesh in the two-match Test series at home.

As India gears up to take on New Zealand at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru in the opening Test of the upcoming three-match Test series, Gautam Gambhir insisted that the days of relying solely on big scores from batters to win matches are over.

The Indian coach further noted that no matter how many runs the team posts, it’s the bowling unit that determines the outcome of a Test match. Gambhir reckoned that if a team is able to take 20 wickets, then the win of that team is guaranteed in Test cricket in this era.

This is the era of bowlers: Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir reiterated that the bowlers have now become the game-changers in modern-day Test matches, and he strongly believes that this shift must be embraced if teams want to. With bowlers now leading the charge, he hopes that the people will leave their long-held obsession with batters.

Gautam Gambhir said at a press conference in Bengaluru: “That era is past. This is the era of bowlers. Batters only set up matches. This batsman-obsessed attitude of ours needs to end. If a batter even scores 1,000 runs, it doesn't guarantee victory. But if a bowler takes 20 wickets, then there is a 99 per cent guarantee that we will win the Test match.”

He signed off by saying, “So, if it is a Test match or any other format, bowlers win you matches and tournaments. In this era, we will talk more about bowlers compared to batters, and I hope this mindset changes.” Notably, the first IND vs NZ Test will get underway on October 16 in Bengaluru.

India squad for New Zealand Tests announced

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has already announced the squad of the India National Cricket Team for the three-match Test series against New Zealand National Cricket Team.

The squad is pretty similar to the one that played the two-match Test series against Bangladesh National Cricket Team and there has been just one change with Yash Dayal being dropped.