Ekana Cricket Stadium Pitch: IPL 2023- The pitch at Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium has been a topic of controversy during the IPL. Teams have struggled to score runs at this venue. In a recent match, Lucknow Super Giants managed to score just 125/7 in 19.2 overs against Chennai Super Kings before rain forced the game to be abandoned. The sluggish nature of the pitch has been a persistent issue this season, with several matches being low-scoring affairs. Despite efforts to renovate the surface, including BCCI’s involvement, the situation has not improved much, leaving both players and fans disappointed. Follow Indian Premier League 2023 Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
The sluggish nature of the Lucknow pitch can be traced back to the T20I match between India and New Zealand on January 29. In the match, NewZealand scored just 99 runs in 20 overs, while batting first. The target seems easy to chase but Indian batters were put to the test by the pitch. India chased the target in 19.5 overs on the loss of 4 wickets.
BCCI’s Panel of Curators to Take Care of Ekana Cricket Stadium Pitch
After the match, UPCA suspended the pitch curator Surender Kumar, and the BCCI sent a panel of curators to look after the pitch. The curators decided to do grassing on the square within a short time frame, which backfired. The pitches stayed undercooked, and UPCA spent a lot on the surface.
Speaking to Times of India a BCCI source said, “BCCI had decided to send a panel of curators to look after the pitch in Lucknow. They decided to do grassing on the square in such a short time frame. That has backfired. The pitches have stayed undercooked.”
“BCCI curators told UPCA to redo the pitches and it was outsourced to a contractor in the first week of February. It takes six weeks for the pitches to settle down after the grassing. But it takes care and minute monitoring right through. UPCA has spent a lot on the surface but nobody really cared after the contract was handed out. Nobody really looked after the square. Hence, nothing worked,” the source said.
LSG Expressed Displeasure over the Pitch
The LSG team management expressed its displeasure, as they couldn’t have their pre-season camps at their home ground. They were forced to hold their camp at Ferozeshah Kotla instead. The team had no idea about the surface when they played their first match against Delhi Capitals, as the pitch was covered with a heavy layer of grass.
“The team didn’t have any idea about the surface when they went to play the first match. In the first match against Delhi Capitals, the pitch was covered with a heavy layer of grass. Nobody could gauge how the underneath surface was. And it all unravelled very quickly,” the source added.
“Lucknow is slated to host World Cup matches in October-November. Perhaps, that forced the BCCI’s hand. They will have to renovate the surface during the off season after the IPL,” the source concluded.
The Lucknow pitch is scheduled to host World Cup matches later in the year. This has put pressure on the BCCI to take action. The board will have to renovate the pitch during the off-season after the IPL. This will help to ensure that the pitch is up to standard for the international tournament. With the world watching, there is little room for error, and the BCCI will need to make sure that the pitch is in top condition to avoid any further controversies.
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