Thaindian News

New Delhi, May 2 (IANS) Delhi Daredevils turned out on a new Ferozeshah Kotla square that had a fair sprinkling of grass in their Indian Premier League match against Kochi Tuskers here Monday.

The Daredevils have been playing their home matches on the side pitch, adjacent to the slow and low centre wicket. The wicket was given a facelift as per the team management’s demand of leaving some grass and making the track hard and bouncier for the batsmen to play their strokes freely and for the seam bowlers to get some advantage.

They won against Kings XI Punjab on the new wicket in a high scoring match, but then lost two home matches. The slowness of the wicket returned and that prompted Daredevils to try out another side wicket in this match.

During the toss, Daredevils’ captain Virender Sehwag said they spoke with the management and he was happy to be playing on another wicket.

Kings XI Punjab captain Adam Gilchrist had criticised the surface after losing to Delhi.

“Such games do entertain the crowd and obviously there is skill involved in hitting a six. It was clearly not a seamer-friendly wicket and there was nothing for the bowlers, though the ball moved a bit early,” he said.

It is not only the Kotla wicket, but another that has also hogged the limelight.

Sachin Tendulkar did not hide his disappointment with the wicket at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium after losing to home team Rajasthan Royals Sunday.

Tendulkar dubbed the track two-paced and that drew the ire of opposition captain Shane Warne.

“It is very unfortunate. Mumbai still is not relishing the fact that they were restricted to 94/8 and that is why they are searching for excuses. They should admit that they were outplayed if they were outplayed,” Warne said.

Kochi Tuskers have also won just one home match on a wicket that at times has been inconsistent in pace and bounce.