Team India head coach Rahul Dravid took a dig at the infrastructure in New York ahead of their first clash in the T20 World Cup 2024 against Ireland on Wednesday. Dravid pointed out at the drop-in pitches at the T20 World Cup 2024 following their initial session under the supervision of the BCCI mental health and conditioning coach Soham Desai.
As per a report in Cricbuzz, all the teams in New York have to practice in Cantiague Park, which is five miles away from the ground.
“It’s a bit strange to be practicing in a park,” the India coach said.
“Obviously at the World Cup(s) you’d be in big stadiums or you’d be at cricket stadiums traditionally. But you know, we’re at a public park and practicing,” he added.
New York will play host to eight of 16 World Cup matches allotted to the United States. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has also built a temporary stadium in New York — Nassau County International Cricket Stadium — where Sri Lanka posted an underwhelming 77 runs in the Group D encounter against Sri Lanka. In response, South Africa chased down the target in 16.2 overs.
Meanwhile, Damian Hough, who is the in-charge of the drop-in pitches for the marquee event, said that the surface will be similar to other T20 pitches around the world.
“We are excited to see the arrival of the pitches here in New York. We’re now focused on bedding in the pitches here in New York to ensure we’re delivering an end product of the highest quality,” Hough, who is in charge of the Adelaide Oval said.
