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Justin Langer, head coach of Lucknow Super Giants, noted his team's struggles at Ekana Stadium, comparing it to WACA. LSG has lost all three home games this season and has only six wins in 17 matches at the venue since 2024.
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Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) head coach Justin Langer admitted his side is struggling to adapt to the unique conditions at the Ekana Stadium, comparing the surface to the famous WACA Ground after their failed chase of 160 against the Rajasthan Royals.
Langer described the pitch as âbrilliantâ but acknowledged that LSGâs batters have been unable to adjust to its extra pace and bounce. The venue has proven troublesome for Lucknow, who have now lost all three home games this season and have managed just six wins in 17 matches there since 2024.
Speaking after the defeat on April 22, Langer pointed out that the surface behaves very differently from typical Indian pitches.
"I think the pitch here is very different than in most of India. It's a brilliant cricket pitch. You see pace and bounce and we just haven't quite adjusted to it. I thought we started off with bowling quite well in it. We bowled well in the first game but we're just not adjusting to the extra pace and bounce. We saw that we've been out to the short ball a number of times, our batters, and that's what I would say," Langer said after the match.
"So we're not adjusting. We see a lot of the wickets in India where the ball doesn't bounce very high. This is like playing at the WACA (Perth). There's real pace and bounce, isn't there?" he added.
Chasing 160, LSG were rocked early, slipping to 11/3 within three overs as Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger exploited the conditions brilliantly. Rishabh Pant edged behind attempting an aggressive swipe, while Aiden Markram fell to a sharp short ball, highlighting LSGâs discomfort against bounce.
Langer emphasized that unfamiliarity with such conditions is a key issue.
âWe see a lot of wickets in India where the ball doesnât bounce much. This is like playing at the WACA, thereâs real pace and bounce. We just havenât been able to adapt,â he added.
Despite the setbacks, Langer praised his bowling unit, singling out Mohsin Khan and Prince Yadav as future India prospects, stating he has âno doubtâ both will represent the national team. He also dismissed any concerns over pitch preparation, backing the ground staff and reiterating that the surface is among the best in the country.
"Last year our numbers were incredible and we were ruing the fact that a lot of our bowlers were injured or coming back from injury or not quite fit. This year our bowlers have been a real credit. I think Mohsin Khan, again outstanding. Prince Yadav, I think they're both two players who will play for India. No question in my mind they'll both play for India," Langer further said.
Justin Langer compares Ekana Stadium to WACA due to its unique pitch conditions that feature extra pace and bounce, which LSG's batters have struggled to adapt to.
Lucknow Super Giants have lost all three of their home games this season at Ekana Stadium.
Since 2024, Lucknow Super Giants have managed only six wins in 17 matches at Ekana Stadium.

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âItâs a great cricket wicket. Every game here is exciting, weâve just been on the wrong side of it so far,â he added.