New Zealand scrambled to 99 for 8 batting first, before India reached their modest target with one ball and six wickets to spare in the chase, leading to criticism from home captain Hardik Pandya after the game
A Lucknow pitch curator has reportedly been fired following the low-scoring T20I between India and New Zealand's men last week.
New Zealand scrambled to 99 for 8 batting first, before India reached their modest target with one ball and six wickets to spare in the chase, leading to criticism from home captain Hardik Pandya after the game.
And the Indian Express reported on Tuesday that the man responsible for the playing surface at the Ekana Cricket Stadium has paid for the debacle with his job.
The newspaper claimed that the curator presented two black-soil pitches for the Indian management in advance of the game, but received a late request for a change of strip to a red-soil wicket instead.
Hardik Pandya criticised the Lucknow pitch [screengrab/BCCI]
Pandya had said after the game: "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."
India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey echoed that sentiment, saying: "The curator is the right person to answer that question. There was a little grass covering on the middle, but there was none on both ends. When we came yesterday, it looked like it would turn and we realised it would be challenging."
The curator has reportedly been replaced by Sanjeev Agarwal ahead of Lucknow Super Giants' Indian Premier League campaign, which is set to begin in late March.
India and New Zealand face off in the series decider at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday (February 1).
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