Five times when pitch created controversy in India
There have been many instances in the past when the groundsman failed to make the pitches according to the rules laid out by the ICC.
5. IND vs SL 2009 Kotla ODI
The December 1997 incident saw a repeat telecast in 2009 as the last One Day International of the five-match series between India and Sri Lanka at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi was abandoned by the match officials saying that the pitch was of “extremely variable bounce and too dangerous for further play”
The match had commenced with MS Dhoni winning the toss and inviting the visiting side to bat first. The first ball of the game saw Zaheer Khan scalping the wicket of opening batsman Upal Tharanga. This was followed by a dropped catch on the first ball of the second over and the blows on the elbow, shoulder, fingers, and thick edges flying past the third man.
By 23.3 overs, the Sri Lankan players had enough as they walked out of the field followed by a long introspection among the officials and the players from both sides. The conclusion of all the talks was the authorities abandoning the One Day International.
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