The pitch served 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.
Following India’s narrow six-wicket victory, skipper Hardik Pandya criticized the nature of the pitch, where no six was hit and spinners bowled 30 out of 39.5 overs.
“Both the games (pitches) we have played on so far (have been shockers). I don’t mind difficult wickets. I am all up for that, but these two wickets are not made for T20. Somewhere down the line, the curators or the grounds that we are going to play in should make sure they prepare the pitches earlier,” Hardik said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Two days after the match, a report published in The Indian Express claims that the curator had prepared two black soil pitches for the game in advance. However, he was asked to prepare a fresh pitch made of red soil on a last-minute request from team management.
Since the curator was asked to prepare the pitch three days before the game, it could not be made adequately on short notice, leading to even slower conditions.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey said one needs to ask the curator on why the pitch behaved in that manner.
Moreover, former India opener Gautam Gambhir called it a “sub-standard wicket” while speaking on Star Sports.
Amid the criticism, the pitch curator in Lucknow has reportedly been sacked and Sanjeev Agarwal from Gwalior has replaced him.
Chasing the paltry target of 100 in Lucknow, India’s top-order failed to get going against the Kiwi spinners. When the hosts were struggling at 70/4, Suryakumar Yadava (26*) and skipper Hardik Pandya (15*) batted sensibly, forging an unbeaten 31-run partnership to take India home with one ball to spare.
With this victory, India levelled the three-match series 1-1. The third and final T20I will be played in Ahmedabad on Wednesday (February 1).
(The Indian Express Inputs)
