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Daljit Singh, the former chief curator of the BCCI, has voiced his concerns regarding the substandard condition of the ‘drop-in’ pitches used in New York for the T20 World Cup. India is set to play three matches in New York, including a high-stakes match against Pakistan on June 9. During the match between India and Ireland, the uneven bounce and cracks on the pitch drew significant attention.
Player Safety Concerns
Indian captain Rohit Sharma had to leave the field after being injured by a rapidly rising delivery from Josh Little. This incident has heightened concerns about player safety. Daljit, who worked with the BCCI for over two decades, stated, "The pitches are extremely poor. Drop-in pitches should have been laid much earlier. Various types of rollers should have been used on them. It appears that the pitches were not properly prepared. These are low-quality pitches that were not adequately made."
Drop-In Pitch Issues
The ICC transported 10 drop-in pitches from Australia to New York in early May. These pitches were prepared by Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough. Daljit remarked, "These pitches should have been installed three months ago. They then should have undergone different types of rolling, followed by a few days of rest, and then the process should have been repeated. These pitches exhibit uneven bounce, which is not ideal for T20 cricket."
