Former cricketer Gautam Gambhir was critical of the pitch served for the second T20I between India and New Zealand in Lucknow on Sunday (January 29).

Opting to bat first, the visitors posted a paltry 99/8 in their allotted 20 overs. It was a turning track where the Kiwi batters couldn’t get going. Skipper Mitchell Santner was the top scorer with 19.

Chasing the target, the Men in Blue were expected to get over the line without breaking a sweat but the Indian batters also found it tough against the New Zealand spinners.

When the hosts were struggling at 70/4, Suryakumar Yadav (26*) and Hardik Pandya (15*) stitched an unbeaten 31-run stand to take India over the line with six wickets in hand and one ball to spare.

“Let’s be very honest, it was a sub-standard wicket and not a T20 wicket. You don’t expect this kind of purchase from the spinners and it was tough,” Gambhir was quoted as saying on Star Sports after the match.

However, the former opener felt that the Indian batters could have played better against the BlackCaps spinners.

“When you are chasing 100, your ability to play spin, your ability to rotate the strike comes into the picture. I was surprised by the way Indian batters played against spin. They could have played much better and shouldn’t have taken that deep,” he stated.

Gambhir also lauded New Zealand skipper Mitchell Santner for taking the game to the last over with his exceptional leadership.

“New Zealanders were very competitive and brilliant captaincy from Mitchell Santner. They were able to take the game so deep,” he remarked.

With this victory, India levelled the three-match T20I series 1-1. The third and final T20I will be played in Ahmedabad on Wednesday (February 1).