New Delhi, April 24 (IANS) Kings XI Punjab captain Adam Gilchrist has criticised the new-look wicket at Ferozeshah Kotla that turned out to be a nightmare for bowlers during the Indian Premier League (IPL) game with Delhi Daredevils.
The low and slow Kotla track has been given a facelift on the request of the Delhi Daredevils management to assist its seamers. There was a fair sprinkling of grass left on the wicket but it turned out to be a belter.
Delhi Daredevils scored 231 runs and restricted Kings XI Punjab to 206/6 Saturday.
"We scored more than 200 runs but still fell short by 29 runs. It was a lovely batting track with a short boundary, but I must say that it turned out to be a six-hitting competition. The skills of the game were probably lost a bit," Gilchrist said Saturday.
"Such games do entertain the crowd and obviously there is skill involved in hitting a six. But it was clearly not a seamer-friendly wicket and there was nothing for the bowlers though the ball moved a bit early and (Morne) Morkel bowled a beautiful opening spell," Gilchrist said.
"The boundaries are short and even the mishits were going for six. It (wicket) should be balanced out."
Kings XI Punjab had won three matches on the trot before going down to Delhi.
"It was frustrating for Delhi Daredevils because they were losing matches. The pitch here is slow and low and so they wanted a change."
Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh kept the team in the hunt adding a quickfire 72 runs for the second wicket, but after that Kings XI Punjab lost the plot.
"The partnership between (Shaun) Marsh and myself was very important and had it continued for four or five more overs, we had a chance to win."
Gilchrist said electing to field was the right decision.
"To opt for fielding after winning the toss was the right decision. There was heavy dew at the ground and that was a factor. But Delhi's opening partnership between Sehwag and Warner was fantastic. They took the game away from us."
David Warner and Virender Sehwag scored 77 each and set up the win for the Daredevils.