Warned The BCCI Against Preparing A Bald And Dry Pitch: Pandurang Salgaoncar
Feb 27, 2017 at 12:03 PM
Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) pitch curator Pandurang Salgaoncar has stated he has warned the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), pitch committee supremo Daljit Singh and the West Zone head Dhiraj Parsana for preparing the dry pitch who were also overseeing the turf during the preparation.
The venue came under the scanner following the dismal performance from the hosts on the turner.
“I had clearly warned the BCCI against preparing a bald and dry pitch,” Salgaoncar was quoted as saying by CricketNext.
Pune became the focus of attention when India struggled against Australian bowling line-up in the first Test of the four-match Test series especially their spinners on the bald and dry pitch in Pune while eventually losing the Test by a massive margin of 333 runs.
“I don’t want to take names, but I had told them that not watering the pitch and removing the grass cover could have a detrimental effect. I know deep within that I had tried my best to make them understand,” Salgaoncar added.
The former cricketers and commentators were surprised with the dry pitch which includes Australian legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne, who termed it as the ‘eighth-day’ wicket.
“Well, what can I do? The fact is that we are reduced to helpers ahead of an international match and we have to follow the instruction of the BCCI pitch committee members present to oversee the preparation,” said MCA in-charge Salgaoncar.
The former 67-year-old Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar was also amazed as the visitors wrapped the Test inside three days.
“My job was to follow their instruction and I did that,” Salgaoncar revealed.
Salgaoncar, who had played 63 first-class games while following the instructions of the seniors was unhappy with the things panned out in the inaugural Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“Yes, I am obviously disappointed at the turn of events as this was the first Test match being held at the venue. But then, what can I do,” Salgaoncar remarked.
According to a report, Salgaoncar wasn’t approached by the Indian team, but he expressed they might have had talked to the senior pitch curators.
“I have no idea whose instruction it was and who from the team management asked for a turner because nobody from the team had approached me. They must have spoken to the senior curators,” Salgaoncar concluded .