The pitch on offer during the second T20I between India and New Zealand was no less than a shocker, said India’s stand-in captain Hardik Pandya. As India somehow managed to chase down a mere target of 100 just inside 20 overs, captain Pandya didn’t mince his words while going hard on the curators for preparing a surface he felt wasn’t best for T20 cricket. With a six-wicket win on Sunday in Lucknow, India levelled the three-match T20Is 1-1 with the decider to be played in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, February 1st.

Deciding to bat first after winning the toss, New Zealand batters felt the wrath of the pitch at the Ekana Stadium from the word do. So much so that only five fours were hit during Kiwi innings, let alone hitting a six. As Indian bowlers made most of it, they held New Zealand to paltry total of 99 for eight in 20 overs.

India’s chase wasn’t easy either. The openers had their struggles as Gill got out on 11 while both Ishan Kishan and Rahul Tripathi ate many balls just to put up 19 and 13 to their names, respectively. Suryakumar Yadav, who is known to accelerate from ball one, could find just one boundary. Pandya and Washington Sundar also contributed little with bat as India hunt down 100 runs with just one ball to spare.

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Speaking to the media after the match, Pandya said, "To be honest, it was a shocker of a wicket. Both the games we have played 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.

"Even 120 would have been a winning total here. Dew didn't play much of a role because if you see they were able to spin the ball more than us. It was a shocker of a wicket. The ball was flying for even the fast bowlers," the stand-in captain added.

As the T20I series is now levelled with one match to go, India will aim to finish it on a high with a win to their name. While India will be involved in a Test series after this, their next white-ball assignment will be against Australia at home in the three-match ODIs, starting March 17th in Mumbai.

The pitch on offer during the second T20I between India and New Zealand was no less than a shocker, said India’s stand-in captain Hardik Pandya. As India somehow managed to chase down a mere target of 100 just inside 20 overs, captain Pandya didn’t mince his words while going hard on the curators for preparing a surface he felt wasn’t best for T20 cricket.

The pitch on offer during the second T20I between India and New Zealand was no less than a shocker, said India’s stand-in captain Hardik Pandya. As India somehow managed to chase down a mere target of 100 just inside 20 overs, captain Pandya didn’t mince his words while going hard on the curators for preparing a surface he felt wasn’t best for T20 cricket. With a six-wicket win on Sunday in Lucknow, India levelled the three-match T20Is 1-1 with the decider to be played in Ahmedabad on Wednesday, February 1st. Deciding to bat first after winning the toss, New Zealand batters felt the wrath of the pitch at the Ekana Stadium from the word do. So much so that only five fours were hit during Kiwi innings, let alone hitting a six. As Indian bowlers made most of it, they held New Zealand to paltry total of 99 for eight in 20 overs. India’s chase wasn’t easy either. The openers had their struggles as Gill got out on 11 while both Ishan Kishan and Rahul Tripathi ate many balls just to put up 19 and 13 to their names, respectively. Suryakumar Yadav, who is known to accelerate from ball one, could find just one boundary. Pandya and Washington Sundar also contributed little with bat as India hunt down 100 runs with just one ball to spare. ALSO READ: India clinch six-wicket win over New Zealand to level series Speaking to the media after the match, Pandya said, "To be honest, it was a shocker of a wicket. Both the games we have played 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. "Even 120 would have been a winning total here. Dew didn't play much of a role because if you see they were able to spin the ball more than us. It was a shocker of a wicket. The ball was flying for even the fast bowlers," the stand-in captain added. As the T20I series is now levelled with one match to go, India will aim to finish it on a high with a win to their name. While India will be involved in a Test series after this, their next white-ball assignment will be against Australia at home in the three-match ODIs, starting March 17th in Mumbai.

IND vs NZ: Hardik Pandya slams Lucknow pitch, calls it a 'shocker' following series-leveling win

Shubman Gill has emerged as one of India’s brightest cricketer stars&nbsp;in recent times. His performance in the longer format lately has brought him laurels while his record-breaking ODI series against New Zealand helped him enter record books. But nothing of that can be said about his outings in the T20 format. Technique-wise Gill already looks ahead of his contemporaries but it’s his manner of dismissals that could cause some trouble for him, as per the former India opener Aakash Chopra. Much like how he got out to a spinner in the first T20I, Gill got dismissed in the same fashion in Sunday’s second T20I in Lucknow.

India levelled the T20I series in Lucknow with a seven-wicket win on a surface that was very tricky to play. Even India’s stand-in captain Hardik Pandya called it as a shocker. Having said that, India was to chase a mere 100 in 20 overs – which they just somehow managed to do so. Gill, who scored 11 off nine balls got out to off-spinner&nbsp;Michael Bracewell. In the first game, he tried pulling a short ball from Santner that found a top edge, and now in this match, he made the same mistake.

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Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash opined that though you can’t be too critical with such players, one still has to be careful about the numbers getting stacked up nicely.

"Gill was dismissed off Santner's bowling in the first match and here, Michael Bracewell. He is trying to play the pull shot but getting the leading edge, it happened both times. Happens on a turning surface," Aakash Chopra said.

"You can't be too critical but numbers are not stacking up nicely for him, that's a problem. Ishan Kishan was looking decent and he got run out. Rahul Tripathi also swung his bat but how many runs will you score here? Suryakumar Yadav, who is in amazing form, was also seen struggling," he added.

Now since the three-match T20I series is tied at 1-1, the decider will be played on Wednesday in Ahmedabad.

Shubman Gill has emerged as one of India’s brightest cricketer stars in recent times. His performance in the longer format lately has brought him laurels while his record-breaking ODI series against New Zealand helped him enter record books.

Shubman Gill has emerged as one of India’s brightest cricketer stars in recent times. His performance in the longer format lately has brought him laurels while his record-breaking ODI series against New Zealand helped him enter record books. But nothing of that can be said about his outings in the T20 format. Technique-wise Gill already looks ahead of his contemporaries but it’s his manner of dismissals that could cause some trouble for him, as per the former India opener Aakash Chopra. Much like how he got out to a spinner in the first T20I, Gill got dismissed in the same fashion in Sunday’s second T20I in Lucknow. India levelled the T20I series in Lucknow with a seven-wicket win on a surface that was very tricky to play. Even India’s stand-in captain Hardik Pandya called it as a shocker. Having said that, India was to chase a mere 100 in 20 overs – which they just somehow managed to do so. Gill, who scored 11 off nine balls got out to off-spinner Michael Bracewell. In the first game, he tried pulling a short ball from Santner that found a top edge, and now in this match, he made the same mistake. ALSO READ: Following multiple requests from PCB, Mickey Arthur is set to return as Pakistan's coach - Reports Speaking on his YouTube channel, Aakash opined that though you can’t be too critical with such players, one still has to be careful about the numbers getting stacked up nicely. "Gill was dismissed off Santner's bowling in the first match and here, Michael Bracewell. He is trying to play the pull shot but getting the leading edge, it happened both times. Happens on a turning surface," Aakash Chopra said. "You can't be too critical but numbers are not stacking up nicely for him, that's a problem. Ishan Kishan was looking decent and he got run out. Rahul Tripathi also swung his bat but how many runs will you score here? Suryakumar Yadav, who is in amazing form, was also seen struggling," he added. Now since the three-match T20I series is tied at 1-1, the decider will be played on Wednesday in Ahmedabad.

Numbers in T20Is are not stacking up nicely for Shubman Gill, could become a problem, says Aakash Chopra

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IND vs NZ: Hardik Pandya slams Lucknow pitch, calls it a 'shocker' following series-leveling win

Numbers in T20Is are not stacking up nicely for Shubman Gill, could become a problem, says Aakash Chopra