Team India hammered Ireland by eight wickets to open their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on June 5.
However, the track served for the match is hogging the headlines more than India’s exceptional performance. The disconcerting bounce on the new drop-in pitch raised significant safety concerns.
India’s three Group A matches are scheduled at the same venue, including the high-octane encounter against Pakistan on June 9.
Ahead of the Pakistan clash, India skipper Rohit Sharma has suffered a fresh injury concern during the practice session at Cantiague Park in New York.
Rohit, who was forced to retire hurt during the Ireland game after being hit on a right biceps by a Joshua Little delivery, copped a blow on his thumb while facing throwdown specialist Nuwan in the nets.
According to a report, the incident led to BCCI filing an "unofficial" complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) over the pitch.
It wasn't just Rohit who was troubled by the awkward bounce off the track at the practice venue, which is about five miles away from the main venue in New York.
According to Dainik Jagran reporter Abhishek Tripathi, India’s star batter Virat Kohli also encountered similar issues during his net session but did not sustain any injuries.
Rohit was attended by a physiotherapist after the ball hit his gloves. He then batted from the other end before leaving the practice session after a few minutes.
Taking to social media platform X, the journalist narrated the entire incident while also claiming that the BCCI has made an unofficial complaint to ICC about the practice pitch.
Before the India-Ireland fixture, New York hosted the match between Sri Lanka and South Africa, which turned out to be low-scoring and dull. Since then, the playing surface has been drawing flak from all quarters.
The ICC also acknowledged the substandard condition and said that they are striving to "remedy" the issue for the remaining matches.
"The pitches used so far at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium have not played as consistently as we would have all wanted. 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," the apex body said in a statement after the India versus Ireland game.
