NEW YORK: Amidst the excitement of cricket making its way to America, concerns are growing over the most crucial element of the sport—the pitch. At the Nassau International Cricket Ground in New York, the venue for the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash on Sunday, recent matches have raised alarm due to the erratic behavior of a new drop-in pitch, leading to fears of injuries and low-scoring games.
In two consecutive matches, teams have struggled, with both being bowled out for less than 100 runs, making chases difficult. Sri Lanka were dismissed for 77, and South Africa took 16.4 overs to reach their target. Similarly, the Indian top-order struggled to chase 97 against Ireland on Wednesday. The Irish batting lineup faltered, and Indian stars Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant also faced difficulties before securing a win.
A significant concern is the toss’s increasing influence on the game’s outcome. The combination of the unpredictable pitch and the 10:30 am starts has made batting particularly challenging, as the white ball is moving considerably.
“Yes, the toss is crucial, and fortunately, we won the toss today (against Ireland). It allowed us to control the game,” batting coach Vikram Rathour stated. However, when questioned about an ideal first-innings score for the India-Pakistan match, Rathour cautiously responded, “Whatever we can get.”
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, now a commentator, expressed his worries: “The concerning part is that one delivery is bouncing high, and the next is staying low. Anything can happen on such a track,” Harbhajan told NOG.
Captain Rohit Sharma experienced these challenges firsthand, scoring 52 despite a shaky start before being struck on the shoulder by a rising delivery. Although he retired hurt, he later assured that his injury was minor and would not affect his participation in the Pakistan game. “It’s just a little sore (the arm). We’re unsure about the pitch’s behavior since it’s only five months old,” Rohit said. “The wicket didn’t settle even when we batted second. There was still enough for the bowlers.”
Rohit acknowledged the added pressure of facing Pakistan, emphasizing preparation: “I don’t know what to expect from the pitch, but we will prepare for similar conditions,” he said.
Rathour remains confident in India’s batting lineup’s ability to handle the challenges. “It is a challenging wicket, but we have the skill and experience to deal with these conditions,” he stated.
ICC Acknowledges NY Pitch ‘Inconsistent’
On Thursday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) admitted that the pitch in New York has not performed satisfactorily, and the groundstaff is working diligently to improve conditions before the India-Pakistan game. “T20 Inc and the ICC recognize that the pitches at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium have not played as consistently as desired,” the ICC said in a statement. “The world-class grounds team has been working hard since the conclusion of yesterday’s game to remedy the situation and deliver the best possible surfaces for the remaining matches.
