Twitter critical of the pitch at the Kennington Oval after India’s top-order collapse against New Zealand

India is already on their way for the campaign in the upcoming World Cup in England and Wales. Last month, the BCCI announced the 15-man squad and they didn’t make any changes to their provisional squad as well. Prior to the mega event, many experts and pundits reckon that the Virat Kohli-captained unit has the potential to get its hands on the coveted trophy.

The Men in Blue are currently playing their first warm-up match against New Zealand at the Kennington Oval in London. The Indian team had a couple of injury concerns going into the game. Vijay Shankar and Kedar Jadhav have a hand and shoulder injury respectively, and therefore, the duo was left out. Hence Kohli’s men went in with 13 players for the practice match.

India won the toss and elected to bat first on what seemed to be a green wicket. The start wasn’t a great one for India by any stretch of the imagination. In the second over, Trent Boult trapped Rohit Sharma plumb in front. However, the batsman went for the Decision Review System (DRS). Unfortunately, it didn’t save him and Rohit had to make the long walk back.

India fall like ninepins

A couple of overs later, it was Shikhar Dhawan’s turn to go back to the hut. The on-field umpire didn’t adjudge the batsman out initially and Kane Williamson, the Black Caps skipper, opted for the DRS. Replays showed that there was a spike on the Snickometer when the leather passed the bat. The decision was thereafter overturned and India lost both their openers.

A lot of focus was on KL Rahul to step up and churn out a substantial score. But that wasn’t the case as Boult accounted for his third wicket. Rahul could only manage six runs off 10 deliveries. Captain Kohli smacked three fours in his knock of 18 off 24, but even he couldn’t weather the storm and was castled by Colin de Grandhomme in the 11th over that reduced India to 39/4 in 10.3 overs.

Even Hardik Pandya got out after scoring 30 off 37. James Neesham dismissed him with a ball that jagged a tad away. Dinesh Karthik fell after scoring only four. After the batting collapse, Twitter is definitely not pleased with the greenish pitch that has troubled the Indian batsmen.

Here is how Twitter vented its frustration

Pitch today nothing like you would find in the main games. Not as much work has gone into it. So take India’s batting performance with a pinch of salt.#ICCWC2019

— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) May 25, 2019

Green pitch to lower India's confidence? #INDvsNZ #CWC19

— Pranjal Vashishth (@Pranjal_vas) May 25, 2019

Why is this kind of pitch is given in the warmup games. How is this ideal preparation for India.#AskStar @StarSportsIndia

— Abhishek kumar(vinayak) (@VinayakAbhishek) May 25, 2019

@englandcricket produce green pitch to India from no where.#INDvNZ #CricketWorldCup2019

— K K (@villa_310) May 25, 2019

Somebody put "best ODI team in the world " in the pitch where India is batting and let's have fun 😂#CWC2019

— sap (@sapplesat) May 25, 2019

Not the kind of pitch India would have liked for a warm-up. It is unlikely that this kind of pitch will be seen in the rest of the world cup.

India have done the right thing though by batting first. Test yourself. #INDvNZ

— Saurav Jha (@iamsauravjha) May 25, 2019

There is plenty of grass on the this one. Doubt if we'd see same during the tournament. If we do, it will make the tournament really open. https://t.co/bIu7CeRgHm

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 25, 2019

India 39/4

What's really happening??
England pitches are batting friendly…#INDvNZ #INDvsNZ

— Zuheeb ❤ (@iam_freakk) May 25, 2019

Yes, this is just a warm up game, but man, look at Kohli. Haven't been beaten yet and looks so assured in his defense.

Don't think ICC will give similar pitches once the WC starts, but the sad part is, if India gets one, only Kohli is capable of handling it. #CWC19 #INDvNZ

— A2 Studio (@a2studoffl) May 25, 2019

Not a good start for india, but tbh, I had half expected that. The pitch is green, suitable for swing bowling. It's a long time since India played in English conditions, and you don't get these type of swinging wickets in India. #cwc19

— 𑀅𑀚𑀺𑀗𑁆𑀓𑁆𑀬 🇮🇳 (@HinduMonarchist) May 25, 2019

If India score 280 from here then they are the favorites to win this world cup because this pitch is not ideal for batting #INDvNZ

— Sudhir Dahiya (@isudhirdahiya) May 25, 2019