Zaheer Khan Expresses Frustration Over Lucknow Pitch and Curator's Oversight
8 days ago | 5 Views
Disputes surrounding the pitches in IPL 2025 continue to persist, particularly after Zaheer Khan, the mentor for Lucknow Super Giants, raised concerns about the quality of the pitch used during their home match against Punjab Kings on Tuesday. Lucknow faced their second loss of the season, succumbing to PBKS by eight wickets, with Zaheer attributing part of the defeat to the curator's decisions. The team likely anticipated a pitch more conducive to spin, yet it was the fast bowlers who dominated, with Arshdeep Singh claiming three wickets, while Lockie Ferguson and Marco Jansen each took one, restricting Lucknow to a total of 171/7 in their 20 overs.
In response, Lucknow's bowlers managed to secure only two wickets, both taken by the enigmatic spinner Digvesh Singh Rathi, as Punjab successfully chased down the target in a mere 16.2 overs, finishing with 22 balls remaining. Zaheer seemed to express discontent with the pitch conditions, and amid ongoing discussions about 'home advantage' in this season of the Indian Premier League, the former Indian pacer speculated whether the curator had a preference for Punjab.
"What disappointed me was that, considering it was a home game, teams in the IPL typically seek to leverage home advantage. From that perspective, it appears the curator did not treat it as a home game. It almost seemed like we had a Punjab curator here," Zaheer remarked during the press conference.
"This is something we will need to address. It’s a new environment for me, but I hope this is the first and last instance of such an issue. We are letting down the Lucknow fans, who came with high hopes for a victory in our first home game."
This is not the first occasion a franchise or its representative has expressed concerns regarding their home curator. Just last week, Ajinkya Rahane's appeal for a spin-friendly pitch was rejected by Eden Gardens curator Mukherjee, who stated, "As long as I am here, the pitch won't change." Simon Doull also questioned the curator's authority to make such decisions and suggested that KKR consider a change in their approach.
Not using it as en excuse: Zaheer Khan
Zaheer has made it clear that he does not attribute the defeat to the pitch conditions. Nevertheless, he emphasized that home pitches should provide the team with some advantage, although it is not the sole factor in their performance.
"As a team, we maintain our confidence. We acknowledge our loss and recognize the need to make a significant impact in our upcoming home matches. With six games remaining, this team has demonstrated throughout the season, despite limited play, that we possess the right attitude and mindset for the IPL. Expect to see innovation, creative strategies, determination, and a strong desire to succeed, which encapsulates our team spirit," Zaheer remarked.
"We will adhere to the curator's guidance. We are not using this as a justification for our performance. Last season showed us that batters can face challenges here as well. Such factors are part of cricket. However, it is crucial for everyone to support the home team, especially since we are playing in Lucknow. We must consider how we can assist them in achieving victory. Every contribution matters, and we will find a way to secure wins regardless."
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