Ravichandran Ashwin, the Team India off-spinner reckons that just like a high-scoring close game, a low-scoring thriller like the Lucknow T20I -the 2nd T20I of the recently concluded New Zealand T20I series is also a great advertisement for cricket.
The Men in Blue beat the Kiwis by six wickets in the second game of the three-match series against New Zealand in Lucknow, which courted controversy due to a sluggish surface. The hosts needed 19.5 overs to chase down a target of 100.
Ravichandran Ashwin Reckons Even A Low Scoring Thriller Is A Great Advertisement Of The Game Of Cricket
In the post-match presentation, Indian captain Hardik Pandya expressed his disappointment at the surface that was prepared for the game, terming it a ‘shocker’ of a pitch. However, Ravichandran Ashwin shared a differing view and opined that batters struggled in the game simply because they’re not used to playing spin in T20 cricket.
Opening up on the Lucknow T20I controversy, the seasoned campaigner said on his YouTube channel: “The main thing I noticed in the series against New Zealand was the low-scoring game in the T20Is.”
Many of them (fans) asked, “Is 100 even a target or what? Why did they make it so difficult?” I noticed some of those comments in our YouTube section and felt really bad reading those comments.”
Elaborating on modern-day batters’ woes against the spinning ball in the T20 format, the 36-year-old said: “In today’s world, when it comes to T20 cricket, a batter’s requirement is just how well he can hit through the line when the ball is pitched up. 170-180 is considered the minimum score these days. They don’t face turning balls or lateral moment so much in T20 cricket. They don’t have enough practice to face that as well.”
He continued: “That low-scoring game became a thriller. But did the ball turn massively? Yes, the odd-ball did turn massively. But, just like a high-scoring thriller, a low-scoring thriller is also a great advertisement for the game.”
New Zealand won the toss and opted to bat in the Lucknow T20I. However, they were restricted to 99-8 in their allotted 20 overs. In response, India stumbled to 70-4 before an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 31 between Suryakumar Yadav (26*) and Hardik Pandya (15*) took the team home in a tense finish with a ball to spare.
India restricted New Zealand to 99/8 in the second game in Lucknow on Sunday, January 29. However, the hosts needed 19.5 overs to chase down the target set by the Kiwis. Earlier, in the opening T20I in Ranchi, India went down by 21 runs while chasing 177.
With the red-soil pitch at the Ekana Stadium expected to help spinners, India brought in Yuzvendra Chahal for Umran Malik. That gave them four spin-bowling options, including Deepak Hooda. All of them troubled New Zealand and restricted them to a mere 99 for 8. It was New Zealand’s lowest total against India in a full-length T20I. Still, it was far from a cruise to India.
India 101 for 4 (Suryakumar 26*, Bracewell 1-13) beat New Zealand 99 for 8 (Santner 19*, Arshdeep 2-7, Chahal 1-4) by six wickets
Hardik Pandya Honestly Admitted It Was A Shocker Of A Wicket Referring To The 2nd T20I Lucknow Pitch
Although India beat New Zealand by six wickets in Lucknow to square the series, captain Hardik Pandya was not too pleased with the pitch for the game.
At the post-match presentation, he 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 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 went on to hammer New Zealand by 168 runs in the decider in Ahmedabad. After posting 234-4 batting first, they bundled out the Kiwis for 66 in 12.1 overs to win another bilateral T20 series at home.