Indian team donates INR 35,000 to Wankhede Stadium groundstaff for preparing sporting pitch

The Indian cricket team donated a sum of INR 35,000 to the groundstaff of Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai after Virat Kohli and men registered a historic victory over visitors New Zealand (by a massive 372 runs, India’s biggest Test victory in terms of margin of runs) to clinch the two-Test series 1-0 on Day 4 of the second Test.

Previously, the Indian head coach Rahul Dravid had donated an identical sum to the groundstaff at Kanpur’s Green Park, the venue of the first Test, which ended in a thrilling draw as New Zealand’s last-wicket pair of Rachin Ravindra and Ajaz Patel blocked out the final session in fading light.

The gesture by the team after both the encounters was a token of appreciation for the tireless job by the groundsmen, who provided the teams a sporting, balanced track at both venues. While the slow and low Kanpur track threw a different challenge at both India and New Zealand, the Wankhede pitch stayed true to its nature and offered trustworthy bounce and carry for both pacers and spinners.

Although, after a gritty display in the first Test, New Zealand were found wanting with the bat in Mumbai, where they were dismissed for a paltry 62 in response to India’s first innings tally of 325 all-out, and followed that by 167 in the second innings in an improbable pursuit of 540.

Despite India’s win, though, the match would be best remembered for the performance of a member from the losing side – Ajaz Patel, who clinched 14 wickets in the game, including all 10 Indian wickets in the first innings as he stormed into the envious Laker-Kumble club.

“I think it was good to finish the series as winners, came close in Kanpur, not able to get that last wicket, had to work hard here. This result seems one-sided, but right through the series, we were made to work hard,” India coach Rahul Dravid said after the victory.

“There have been phases where we were behind and had to fight back, credit to the team. Great to see the boys stepping up and taking their opportunities,” he added.