India v New Zealand, 5th ODI could be shifted out of Vizag

The 5th ODI of the India – New Zealand ODI series could be shifted out of the scheduled venue. As per the current fixtures, the match is scheduled to be played at Vizag. However, there are concerns over the quality of the pitch. A pitch inspection will take place today, on October 19, following which the venue would be finalized. If deemed unfit, the 5th ODI will see a change in venue. The concerns over the pitch were raised when the pitch misbehaved during the Ranji Trophy, the premier domestic tournament of India. The match between Rajasthan and Assam wrapped up inside 3 days.

Assam coach Sunil Doshi was very disappointed with the track that was laid. The ball kept very low on occasions that saw ball not rising above ankle length. The pitch deteriorated as the game progressed. Assam were seen bundling out for a paltry 69 in the second innings on the wicket. 17 wickets fell on the day 3 of the match and that didn’t go down well with the organisers too. The Andhra Cricket Association chief G Gangaraju agreed that the surface wasn’t great.

He blamed the inadequate rains this season for the misbehaviour of the pitch. Mr. Gangaraju further hinted that the track was newly re-laid one. “The pitch was re-laid four months back but because of the rains they couldn’t prepare it properly. The BCCI would be sending a curator/inspector, likely on Wednesday, for inspection and he will decide if the pitch is good enough to host the fifth ODI,” he quoted in a conversation with The Indian Express.

MV Sridhar, the General Manager of Cricket Operations of the BCCI, will choose a curator to be sent for inspection. The Assam coach Sunil Doshi was visibly sad with the result. He quoted that the preparations for the ODI hit their Ranji campaign hard.

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“They were obviously preparing for the ODI at the end of the month, but our match was hit because of that. Because of the heavy watering, the pitch sort of held up for the first two days and things got ugly on the third day, as the pitch threw up variable bounce,” Joshi said.

“The ball was going through at ankle height some times. 17 wickets fell on third day, and 11 of them were lbw. You get the idea,” Joshi quoted. Joshi also revealed that the wicket prepared for the ODI was the one adjacent to the Ranji wicket. “The pitch we played on was certainly not good enough for game. The ODI pitch was in the same square, the one adjacent to where we played and I would be surprised if it turns out any better,” he added further.

India lead the ODI series 1-0 after a clinical win in Dharamsala. The next ODI will be played at Delhi tomorrow.