India head coach Gautam Gambhir has criticised the batting-friendly pitch in Guwahati after his side completed the second-highest successful chase in one-day international history on Wednesday.

India chased West Indies’ 405 for 7 for an eight-wicket win to seal the series. But Gambhir told Star Sports the run-fest was unfair on bowlers.

“There has to be a bit more of a contest between bat and ball, because I think you talk about cricket — but this is not cricket, this is only batting,” he said.

“Imagine a young bowler bowling on this wicket. For the records it’s outstanding, for the crowd it’s outstanding, for the broadcaster it’s outstanding — but as a coach, I have to have sympathy for the bowlers as well.”

Bowlers should not be judged only by their figures on such surfaces, he said, noting fielding restrictions, two new balls and aggressive batting already favour batters.

Looking ahead to next year’s 50-over World Cup, Gambhir said India had limited time to settle combinations, with the IPL and bilateral commitments reducing the window for experiments. He said the team would keep trying new players at least until the Zimbabwe series.