T20 Pitches Must Assist Bowlers Too, Says Chetan Sharma

Former India chief selector Chetan Sharma has called for cricket pitches that offer assistance to bowlers as well as batters, amid the growing trend of high scores in T20 cricket. He pointed out that scores of more than 200 runs were recorded in all but the opening match of the recent T20 series against the West Indies. With the decisive match scheduled to be played in Bengaluru, concerns have also been raised about conditions favouring batters. Sharma said fans enjoy watching fours and sixes, but the contest becomes less engaging when there is little balance between bat and ball. He urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to adopt the domestic cricket approach of preparing pitches that provide bowlers with some assistance at the international level as well.

Sharma also weighed in on the debate surrounding the age of senior Indian cricketers Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He said performance, rather than age, should be the key factor in assessing players, pointing to the centuries scored by the two experienced batters. According to Sharma, players need not respond to every outside comment or criticism. Instead, they should focus on performing well for the country and contributing to team victories. He emphasised that consistent performance and the ability to meet the team's needs should matter more than a player's age.