IND vs NZ: Indian skipper Hardik Pandya slams Lucknow pitch after last-over win over New Zealand

Indian T20 captain Hardik Pandya slammed the pitch on the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow after India’s six-wicket win over New Zealand within the series-levelling second ODI performed on the stadium on Sunday. In a match, that noticed New Zealand being restricted to 99 for 8 within the first innings, the Indian batsmen too struggled earlier than Surya Kumar Yadav’s unbeaten knock of 26 runs and Pandya’s unbeaten knock of 15 runs took them dwelling with one ball to spare.

“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 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,” Pandya instructed reporters in post-match interplay.

While the Indian group had suffered a 21-run loss towards New Zealand within the first T20I performed at Ranchi, the Indian bowlers didn’t let the Kiwi batsman take management within the second T20I. Arshdeep Singh claimed two wickets whereas Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Washington Sundar and Deepak Hooda claimed a wicket every to limit India to 99 for 8 within the 20 overs.

Pandya believed that even 120 would have been a profitable complete on the pitch at Ekana Stadium. “Even 120 would have been a winning total here. Our bowlers stuck to their plans and ensured that they (New Zealand batsmen) did not rotate the strike. We kept rotating the spinners. Dew didn’t play a part in this match. Their spinners were able to spin the ball more than us. It was carrying through well,” stated Pandya.

In the top, India managed to eke out a six-wicket win with one ball to spare. Yadav and Pandya had been concerned in an unbeaten 31-run partnership for the fifth wicket to information the group dwelling. “I always believed that we would be able to finish the game, but it went quite late. All these games are important with the moments,” stated Pandya.