IND vs NZ Pitch Controversy: Lucknow Pitch – The pitch used at Ekana Stadium during the IND vs NZ 2nd T20I has come under huge criticism. Post the match the curator was immediately given marching orders following the poor condition of the surface. In the latest update, a UPCA official made a big revelation that the India and New Zealand match was played on ‘overused’ Lucknow Pitch. Follow IND vs NZ Live Updates with InsideSport.IN
While speaking to The Times of India from Lucknow, CEO of UPCA Ankit Chatterjee said, “We hosted too many tournaments at this stadium this season. We staged the (league stage of the) Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, then the Women’s Inter-Zonals, then the India versus South Africa ODI (on October 6 last year).”
IND vs NZ: BIG Reveal by UPCA official, India and New Zealand played on ‘overused’ Lucknow Pitch, Follow India vs New Zealand LIVE updates
The IND vs NZ 2nd T20I saw New Zealand only managing to score 99 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in 20 overs. India also struggled in their run chase reaching the target with just a ball to spare. The match also saw batsmen not being able to take enough risk as the ball turned square and the spinner bowling majority of the overs (30 out of 40)
“This isn’t an excuse, but this wicket has never been used so much before. Since there were a few issues with the (Green Park) stadium in Kanpur, we had to host a lot of games here. In a regular centre which has the experience of staging matches, this kind of ‘rush of matches’ can be managed. However, here, we didn’t have the experience for that,” CEO of UPCA Ankit Chatterjee said.
.@surya_14kumar hits the winning runs as #TeamIndia secure a 6-wicket win in Lucknow & level the #INDvNZ T20I series 1️⃣-1️⃣
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/p7C0QbPSJs#INDvNZ | @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/onXTBVc2Wu
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 29, 2023
He further said, “The (cold) weather made things difficult for us, as the wicket takes longer to recover after a game in this climate. Having said that, a mistake has been made by our curator (Surendra Kumar, who has been sacked). There’s no running away from that. We can’t pass the buck. The pitch wasn’t up to the mark.”
IND vs NZ: BIG Reveal by UPCA official, India and New Zealand played on ‘overused’ Lucknow Pitch, Follow India vs New Zealand LIVE updates
The Lucknow Pitch created havoc controversy due to its unplayable conditions. Not only did India team skipper Hardik Pandya lambast the pitch conditions, former India cricketer and LSG team mentor Gautam Gambhir too criticized the pitch conditions. And after such a situation, the pitch curator has been removed and a fresh pitch would be made for the IPL tournament.
“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.
Hardik meanwhile said, “To be honest, it was a shocker of a wicket. Both the games we have played on so far. I don’t mind difficult wickets. I am all up for that, but these two wickets were 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. Other than that, happy. Even 120 would have been a winning total,”
Since, the axe has fallen on the Lucknow pitch curator. According to multiple reports, the Ekana Stadium pitch curator has been removed from his post following India vs NewZealand 2nd T20I. Further reports also claim that a fresh and Brand NEW Pitch will be created for the upcoming IPL tournament. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) use the Ekana Stadium as their home ground in the Indian Premier League.
IND vs NZ: BIG Reveal by UPCA official, India and New Zealand played on ‘overused’ Lucknow Pitch, Follow India vs New Zealand LIVE updates
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