Warne expresses 'shock' over new pitch

Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne has expressed 'shock' over the new pitch at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium after his side suffered a 63-run defeat to Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Warne said that he was not aware of who gave instructions to prepare a new wicket for the crucial match Monday. It was Royals' second loss at home in six matches.

"In the past four years we have never been told to play on any particular wicket. It is ridiculous to have instructions for pitch," Warne, who is featuring in his last IPL as a player, told reporters Monday night.

Warne said every team has the right to prepare suitable wickets at home.

"I have no idea from where the instructions came. But never before there have been such things going on. It is right of every team to extract best out of home conditions," said Warne referring to the Royals' impressive record at home.

"The wickets for earlier matches were fantastic. If you had been watching earlier matches here you can make out easily that today's wicket was different. It has come as a shock and surprise that we were being instructed to play on a certain kind of wicket."

The instructions of playing on fresh wicket came after Mumbai Indians skipper Sachin Tendulkar rated the pitch used in the earlier matches as 'tough' following his side's seven-wicket defeat at the hands of Royals April 29.

Warne, however, admitted that his team was outplayed by the Super Kings.

"I don't want that there are headings tomorrow that Shane Warne blames the pitch because it was same for both teams and I concede that we were outplayed. We were up against a side which was pumped and eager to win," he said.