The pitch dished out for the second T20I between India and New Zealand in Lucknow has come under the scanner. It was a track where there was a lot of assistance for the spinners and batters from both sides couldn’t get going.
After India’s narrow six-wicket victory, skipper Hardik Pandya criticized the nature of the pitch, calling it a ‘shocker’.
India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey agreed with Hardik’s assessment of the strip and said that one needs to ask the curator on why the pitch, where spinners bowled 30 out of 40 overs, behaved in that manner.
“Firstly when we saw the wicket, we realised that it was on the drier side. Obviously, there was a little bit of grass covering in the middle, but there was no grass at both the ends. So, when we came yesterday, it looked like it would turn. We realised that it would be a challenging wicket. The reason (why the pitch behaved like that), you have to ask the curator," Mhambrey said in the post-match press conference.
Except for Shivam Mavi, all the Indian bowlers managed to claim at least a wicket as the hosts restricted the BlackCaps to a paltry 99/8 in 20 overs. While Arshdeep Singh returned with two scalps, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar and Hardik Pandya took one wicket each.
“Was it time? Or I don’t know and I think he’s the right person to answer that question. But yeah definitely it was challenging. We knew that it would be a big challenge and luckily happy with the way we controlled the game. I think we allowed 100 runs and anything beyond 120-130, I thought it would have been more challenging but we did well to restrict them to 99 and give us a reasonable target to chase," the bowling coach added.
Paras Mhambrey also explained why Chahal was included in the playing in place of pace sensation Umran Malik.
“In the last game, we had an extra seamer, but looking at the conditions, we realized that an additional spinner would definitely help. It did and Chahal bowled well for us."
He praised skipper Pandya for rotating the bowlers well to keep New Zealand in check.
“Even though Jadeja and Axar aren’t there, we know what value the other two spinners provide. It’s also an opportunity to try other bowlers as well. Hooda bowled four overs, but you don’t often see Hooda finishing four overs when Akshar, Jadeja, or any regular spinner is available."
“But credit goes to Hardik for the way he rotated the bowlers and the faith he showed in them, especially Hooda and Washy. Very happy the way they have bowled and progressed throughout the innings."
Chasing the target, the Men in Blue were expected to get over the line with ease but they found themselves struggling at 70/4. In the end, Suryakumar (26*) and Hardik Pandya (15*) batted sensibly, forging an unbeaten 31-run partnership to take India home with one ball to spare.
With this victory, the Hardik Pandya-led side squared the series 1-1. The third and final T20I will be held in Ahmedabad on Wednesday (February 1).
(With IANS Inputs)
