ICC admits US pitch hurt Rohit Sharma at T20 WC not ideal
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Dubai: The global cricket governing body ICC admitted that the Nassau County cricket pitch, where the India-Ireland match was held, is not an ideal ground for the game. ICC said that the tracks used there so far "have not played consistently as we would have all wanted", PTI reported.
Though India made a cakewalk win against Ireland in the ground in their opening match, the ground, with its uneven tracking, provided unexpected turns for deliveries, and one among them hurt Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, prompting him to retire. He was past 50, unbeaten and in good touch. Later, wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant was also hit by a rogue delivery.
India has two more games scheduled to be played here. Following the results from the track here, notable former players like Irfan Pathan, Michael Vaughan and Sanjay Manjrekar called it unsuitable for the T20s.
"Look, we definitely want to promote cricket in America, but this pitch is not safe for players. If we had a pitch like this in India, a match would never be played there again for a very long time," Pathan said on Star Sports.
Also unimpressed was former England captain Vaughan.
"Trying to sell the game in the States is great.. love it.. but for players to have to play on this sub-standard surface in New York is unacceptable… You work so hard to make it to the WC, then have to play on this," he wrote on his X handle
"T20 Inc and the ICC recognise that the pitches used so far at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium have not played as consistently as we would have all wanted," the ICC said in a statement.
"The world-class grounds team have been working hard since the conclusion of yesterday's game to remedy the situation and deliver the best possible surfaces for the remaining matches," it added.
However, Rohit has been declared fit for India's clash against Pakistan on Sunday.
"Rohit's injury isn't serious. He himself said that it was a bit sore. He should be okay for the Pakistan game (on Sunday) as of now. There are two practice sessions before that," a senior BCCI source told PTI.