Cricket News: UPCA to hire specialists to avoid pitch disasters in IPL 2023

Before the forthcoming IPL 2023 season, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) would hire two specialists. The specialists will maintain Lucknow's Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.

After the recent pitch collapse during India's second T20I match against New Zealand on January 29, the decision was made. While batting first, New Zealand was held to just 99/8, and the home team was able to complete the chase with one ball remaining.

The spinners spun 30 deliveries in 40 overs, yet neither team's batters were able to smash a six. Hardik Pandya, the captain of India, too expressed his extreme disapproval of the wicket after the match.

Hardik Pandya said after the second T20I.

"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,"

Ankit Chatterjee, the CEO of UPCA, indicated that two professionals will be hired to handle any future pitch-related concerns. He claimed that one specialist would look after the pitch and another would take care of the outfield conditions.

Chatterjee was quoted by Cricbuzz saying:

"We are going to appoint two specialists who will take care of the stadium. One will be an expert on the pitch and another will be a professional on the outfield. We are taking required permissions from other state associations to hire their services,"

Chatterjee added.

"We want the playing conditions to be foolproof and we don't want to take any chances for the IPL. The franchise also practises a lot at the ground and they need to have home advantage and we will make sure everything is in place for the IPL and we will ensure there are no such issues during the season,"

The Lucknow ground has already hosted IPL games; however this will be the first time Lucknow Super Giants will play there. The BCCI has announced that home and away matches will be used for the forthcoming competition, which is scheduled to begin on April 1.

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