LUCKNOW: New Zealand fast-bowling all-rounder James Neesham and Former India left-handed batter Gautam Gambhir were crucial about the nature of the Lucknow pitch for the second T20I between New Zealand and India at Ekana Stadium on Sunday.

New Zealand were limited to just 99/8 in their 20 overs, which resulted in a low-scoring thriller. In response, India nearly made a feast out of the chase as New Zealand placed pressure on them by using five spinners.

Suryakumar Yadav hit Blair Tickner over mid-off for four runs to tie the three-match series at one all with three runs needed off of two balls. In the game, neither team's hitters hit a six, while both teams' spinners bowled 30 of the game's 40 overs.

"It wasn't a T20 wicket, let's face it; it was a poor wicket. It was difficult and you don't anticipate the spinners to do this kind of buy. Your ability to play spin and rotate the strike becomes important when you are chasing 100 "After the game, Gambhir made a statement on the broadcast.

Gambhir also expressed astonishment at how tightly the contest was contested. "The way Indian batters responded to spin astonished me. They should not have gone so deep and should have performed much better. Mitchell Santner, the captain of New Zealand, led his team with distinction. They were able to delve so deeply into the game." Neesham, on the other hand, said that no batter shown fluency on the slick red-soil Lucknow pitch, adding that the large audience in Lucknow found some amusement towards the tail end of the game because the pitch wasn't suitable for the stroke-play seen in T20Is.

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