BGT 2024-25: Controversy peaks before Boxing Day Test! Why two teams were given different toned pitches at MCG?
Xtra Time Web Desk: As the Boxing Day Test match between India and Australia is knocking, two teams are gearing up and practicing hard to get a win at the iconic MCG. Meanwhile a new controversy has been introduced. Two teams were offered pitches with different nature.
India were offered used pitches at the Melbourne Cricket Ground over the weekend on the other hand Australia got a fresh one during their first training session on Monday. Hence the Indian cricket team was not overly impressed with the quality of practice pitches provided at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) over the weekend.
As the Test match pitch is expected to offer significant bounce, the practice wickets, which are in the stadium complex, reportedly lacked carry. On Saturday and Sunday, the Indian team was offered used pitches that provided little assistance to their fast bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep. Reports suggest that the ball only bounced waist-high when the bowlers hit the deck hard.
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During Sunday’s session, a delivery from a throwdown specialist was unexpectedly low as it hit captain Rohit Sharma on the knee. Rohit required medical attention and spent 30 minutes off the field with an ice pack applied to his knee. However, pace bowler Akash Deep later assured that Rohit appeared fine by the end of the session, avoiding any serious injury concerns.
He stated, "I think this wicket was for white ball which is why the ball kept low at times. But these blows are common in training. There are no major concerns because of that."
However, MCG curator Matt Page had to address the issue, explaining the standard of the pitch provided by the Australian curators. “We got the schedule of the Indian team well ahead. But we usually give match-centric wickets only three days before the match. It’s applicable for all teams,” Page clarified.
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As understood, the training facility at the MCG has two sets of practice pitches. The Australian team waited until Monday to begin training in order to utilise the fresher set of pitches. But if fresher pitches are made available to teams well in advance, the scenario could have been a bit different. Hence, questions are raising on the arrangements!
It will be interesting to see how Indian bowlers fit themselves with the conditions and leaving everything aside, who steals the victory at MCG!
