India stand-in captain Hardik Pandya has criticized the pitches used for the first two T20 Internationals against New Zealand and hopes a better surface will be in place for Wednesday’s decider in Ahmedabad.
Pandya and New Zealand counterpart Mitchell Santner produced a surprise turnaround in the series opener in Ranchi, where the visiting side won by 21 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The spinners played an even more dominant role in Sunday’s second match in Lucknow, where New Zealand were bowled out for 99-8 but managed to stretch the match to the penultimate delivery of the match before India won by six wickets.
The spinners from both sides bowled 30 of the total 40 overs and not a single six was hit by the batsman. Suryakumar Yadav’s uncharacteristically restrained 26 not out from 31 balls was the highest individual score by a batsman.
Pandya said at the post-match presentation ceremony: “It was a shock wicket to be honest, I don’t mind tough wickets. I’m up for it, but these two wickets are not made for T20s. Somewhere down the line, the curators or the pitch where we’re going to be playing should make sure they get the pitch ready in time”.
The over-friendly nature of the track prompted Santner to consider dropping fast bowler Lockie Ferguson out of the spin.
Santner said : “I tried to find them (spinners) from everywhere, I asked Lockie if he could throw off the spin. I don’t think you often see more than 12 spins there. I think we’ve played 16 or 17, so it’s definitely something different”.
