The Indian team management and BCCI are leaving no stones unturned in trying to win the do-or-die World T20 tie against Australia in Mohali. Hindustan Times reported that the 22 yards at the Punjab Cricket Association Cricket Stadium on which the Indo-Australian tie was scheduled to be held, was swapped with a different pitch after the interference of the team management.
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“The game was to be played on a pitch which would have played similar to the one that was used for the Pakistan-Australia match. But India weren’t happy and have now requested a change. Now, the pitch that they have chosen will assist spin and maybe inconsistent bounce,” said a source close to BCCI.
Incidentally, these moves are unprecedented as in an ICC tournament, the pitches are prepared and offered by an ICC-appointed curator. However, something similar happened in Nagpur in India’s first game as well which they lost to New Zealand. The pitch was changed there, too, at the behest of the team management. The move backfired as India couldn’t cope with New Zealand spinners.
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. “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,” a PCA official said.
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