The pitch in Lucknow for the second T20I between India and New Zealand wasn’t up to the mark for T20 cricket. The pitch in Lucknow wasn’t suited for T20 cricket as the spinners were getting a lot of assistance from the surface. The pitch has been rated ‘average’ by International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Javagal Srinath.
The surface was highly criticised by many cricketers and experts as the pitch was termed not suitable for T20 cricket. The curator for the surface was even sacked after the match.
The match saw New Zealand manage to score just 99 for 8 in 20 overs, while India managed to reach the target with just a ball to spare. On a rare occasion in T20 cricket, not a single six was hit during the match. Similarly, the turning wicket for the first T20I of that series between India and New Zealand, at Ranchi on January 27, has received an “average” rating.
Lucknow Super Giants will begin their 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign with a home fixture at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow against the Delhi Capitals (DC). With IPL 2023 set to follow a home-and-away format, Bharat Ratna Shree Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Stadium will make its debut this year.
Nagpur And Delhi Pitch Receive Average Rating In Border Gavaskar Trophy
The ICC match referee rated both pitches in Nagpur and Delhi as “average,” where India thrashed Australia in three days to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The pitch was a subject of huge discussion ahead of the blockbuster series. The verdict about the pitch was reportedly given by match referee Andy Pycroft. More than pitch Australian batter’s poor batting technique led to their downfall in this series.
The actual ratings are not uploaded on the ICC website but, the news agency PTI has confirmed that the match referee hasn’t given a good report about the two tracks. The pitch at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur and the pitch for the second Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, have received an ‘average’ rating.
The Nagpur venue had once earlier been suspended when an India versus South Africa match ended in two days with the ball turning square from the first hour. India will play the third Test in Indore from March 1 onwards, while the final Test will be held in Ahmedabad from March 9.