sk-logo
hero-image

ICC T20 World Cup 2016: India vs Australia - Pitch changed on Indian team management's request

Virat Kohli taking a close look at one of the practice pitches 

The most powerful cricket board in the world is leaving no stones unturned in trying to control the “cricketing elements” so that India beats Australia in Sunday’s virtual knockout match in the ICC World T20.

Reportedly, a close source of BCCI has told Indian daily Hindustan Times that on request of the Indian team management the pitch for today’s all-important Super 10 match has been changed.

Indian team management requested for a spinning track 

The source, who is also a known official of BCCI said, “The game was scheduled to be played on a pitch which would have played similar to the one that was used for the Pakistan-Australia match. But India wasn't happy and have now requested a change. Now, the pitch that they have chosen will assist spin and maybe inconsistent bounce.”

In the first match of the tournament, something similar happened in Nagpur too. The pitch there was changed at the request of the Indian team management but the move backfired as Indian batting crumbled against the New Zealand spinners.

These are unfair moves 

These advances are unprecedented as in an ICC tournament, the pitches are prepared by an ICC-appointed curator and it should not be changed under any circumstances. But in these times when the sport is driven by economics, it is in the interest of all stakeholders to see India go deeper in the tournament.

It is a very critical game for the Indian team too as they haven’t won this tournament for the past nine years. India is the title favorite in a tournament which it’s hosting and will face major embarrassment if fail to qualify for the semi-finals.

Traditionally the Mohali pitches are known for true pace and bounce, Mohali offers some of the fastest tracks in the sub-continent. The previous two matches had been high-scoring affairs as the pitch suited the free stock players. The requests to make a fast track into a spin assist track some asking and it’ll be very tough to execute.

There will be something for the spinners – PCA official 

Punjab Cricket Association curator and BCCI pitch committee chairman Daljit Singh refused to comment but an association source said there will be something in the pitch for the spinners.

The official said, “You have seen what happened during last year’s Test against South Africa. PCA is known for its quick wicket. But the highest total in that match was 201 by India in the first innings. Moreover, the same pitch will be used for the women’s match between India and West Indies before India take on Australia. There will definitely be some wear and tear. The pitch is likely to slow down in the evening,”

The reports of the chance in the tracks has created a buzz in Twitter:

You may also like