Last Update: January 30, 2023, 12:21 pm IST
Umran Malik played in the first T20I against New Zealand but was dropped in favor of Yuzi Chahal (AP Image)
Umran Malik played in the first T20I against New Zealand but was dropped in favor of Chahal for the second T20I
Later India Chasing 100 with just one ball to spare in the second T20 International against New Zealand at the Ekana Stadium, skipper Hardik Pandya criticized the nature of the pitch, terming it a ‘shocker’.
When the same question was asked to India’s bowling coach Paras Mhambrey in the post-match press conference, he said that one needs to ask the curators that the pitch, which gave heavy turn to spinners and made them bowl 30 overs in 40 overs , Why? Behaved like this during the match.
“First of all when we saw the wicket, we realized that it was on the dry side. Obviously, there was some grass in the middle, but no grass at either end. So, when we came in yesterday, it looked like it would be overturned. We realized it would be a challenging wicket. The reason (why the pitch behaved like that), you have to ask the curator.”
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Mhambrey, on the other hand, praised the Indian bowlers for keeping things tight and restricting New Zealand to just 99 runs in 20 overs. All four spinners including the returning Yuzvendra Chahal were among the wickets.
“Was it time? Or I don’t know and I think he’s the right person to answer that question. But yeah definitely it was challenging. We knew it was going to be a big challenge and luckily we got to play Happy with the way we controlled the innings. I think had we allowed 100 runs and anything beyond 120-130, I felt it would have been more challenging but we managed to restrict them to 99 and give them a reasonable target to chase. Well done for.”
Chahal coming in for fast bowler Umran Malik in the Lucknow T20I raised eyebrows. But Mhambrey said that the need for an additional spinner was felt, which led to the Chahal-Umran swap.
“In the last game, we had an extra seamer but looking at the conditions, we felt an extra spinner would definitely help. It happened and Chahal bowled well for us.”
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He signed off by praising Hardik for rotating the bowlers well to keep New Zealand firmly in control.
“Even if Jadeja and Axar are not there, we know the value the other two spinners provide. This is an opportunity to try other bowlers as well. Hooda bowled four overs, but when Akshar, Jadeja or any regular spinner is available, it is not often we see Hooda finishing four overs.”
But credit goes to Hardik for the way he rotated the bowlers and the faith he showed in them, especially Hooda and Washery. I am happy with the way he bowled and progressed throughout the innings.”
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)