Concerns Over Drop-In Pitches for India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup

New York, USA – Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has voiced his concerns over the use of drop-in pitches for the highly anticipated Pakistan vs India match in the T20 World Cup 2024. The match is scheduled to take place on June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

Harbhajan Singh, a key player in India’s 2007 T20 World Cup-winning squad, expressed his skepticism during a press conference organized by Star Sports. He questioned the reliability and behavior of the newly installed drop-in pitches, noting that even the pitch curators might struggle to predict their performance.

“Pitches there [Nassau Cricket Stadium] are known to none to be honest. Even the pitch curators might not know how many times will this pitch last. How much heat would be there, how much water has been put in? How much bounce would it offer?” Harbhajan remarked.

Emphasizing the necessity of warm-up matches, Harbhajan stated that only through these preliminary games can players and curators gain an understanding of the pitch behavior. He stressed that team combinations and strategies could only be effectively planned after observing the pitches during practice games.

“Once those practice games are played there, then we will get to know how the pitch is acting. And then we can think about combinations. Prior to knowing that, we can’t say about team combinations,” he added.

The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, currently undergoing construction, is set to host eight World Cup matches, including two featuring Pakistan and India each. The first match at this venue will see Sri Lanka face South Africa, marking the beginning of the stadium’s use for international cricket. The stadium is designed to accommodate over 34,000 fans.

Earlier this month, the installation of 10 drop-in pitches commenced in New York, aimed at readying the stadium for the World Cup fixtures. However, the uncertainty surrounding these pitches has raised concerns among players and experts alike.

As the T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, the use of drop-in pitches at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium remains a topic of debate. Harbhajan Singh’s concerns highlight the challenges teams may face in adapting to these new pitches. The outcome of the warm-up matches will be crucial in determining the strategies and preparations for the highly awaited India vs Pakistan clash.