In just two days, 37 wickets fell. Saurashtra now need 69 runs to win with three wickets remaining.

But keeping in mind the track, it’s UP’s game. Saurashtra’s only hope is Sitanshu Kotak—batting on 41 with Kamlesh Makwana on 9 at stumps.

“It is a double-pace wicket. Sometimes the ball is coming on to the bat much faster than expected. All batsmen need to do was to play cautiously,” says Gyanendra Pandey, UP coach.

And, UP bowling coach Ashish Winston Zaidi explains the reason. “There is grass on the wicket and there are white patches too which is resulting in ball to keep low or take time to come on to the bat. Otherwise, there is nothing for the spinners,” he said.

Saurashtra camp was more furious and coach Debu Mitra said, “This is not a five-day wicket. If you have to make bouncy pitches, make them, but don’t give such wickets which has inconsistent bounce.” Curator Vasudev Patel defends his work. “It’s a bouncy strip. What can you do if batsmen go for such shots? I think Indians must play more on such wickets so they can perform overseas. Two batsmen got more than 50 runs on this wicket. Mohammed Kaif got 80 yesterday. A neutral venue has an advantage. There is no pressure on curators to make pitches to suit home side,” Patel said.

Today, in the morning, resuming at 116/8, Saurashtra innings folded up for 127 runs, conceding a first innings lead of 61 runs. Sudeep Tyagi and Praveen Kumar of UP shared the two wickets between themselves.

... contd.