Vizag gets green signal to host India-New Zealand 5th ODI

There were clouds hovering over Vizag to be the venue for the final ODI between India and New Zealand. The track at Vizag had come under the scanner after the Ranji game between Rajasthan and Assam had ended under 3 days at the venue. Assam coach Sunil Joshi had heavy criticism for the track after the match. 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 organizers too. The Andhra Cricket Association chief G Gangaraju agreed that the surface wasn’t great. He blamed the inadequate rains this season for the misbehavior 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,” he had quoted earlier.

Sunil Joshi also had his reservations about the venue hosting an ODI game. He had quoted, “The pitch we played on was certainly not good enough for the 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.”

MV Sridhar, the General Manager of Cricket Operations of the BCCI, sent curators to inspect the match. Vizag is not only scheduled to host the final ODI but also host it’s first-ever Test match next month against England. BCCI curator K Sriram was the one summoned to the venue for the inspection. Sriram gave a green signal to the venue and the preparations of both the tracks for ODI and Test.

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“I was at Vizianagaram for the last three days, preparing pitches for the Maharashtra versus Saurashtra Ranji Trophy game. Yesterday the BCCI requested me to go and inspect the Vizag pitches and inform whether they can host the ODI and Test. I came this morning from Vizianagaram, inspected the pitches and gave a feedback that the pitches are fine for the ODI and also the Test,” quoted Sriram in a conversation with the Indian Express.

He further said that the pitch has a mixture of red soil and clay. He believes the track will behave nicely and is content with the way it is shaping up. “The fifth ODI (between India and New Zealand) is going to be played on Pitch No. 5, which has an even mix of red soil and clay. I’m happy with what I saw. It will be a good surface,” he added.

The Andhra Cricket Association Secretary, Mr. Gangaraju, also confirmed the news about the same. He expressed that he never had issues with the pitch for the ODIs. His concerns laid with the Test match since the track has to last for 5 days.

“Yes, the BCCI curator came today and gave his approval. There’s absolutely no problem in holding the matches. Now that the experts have given their opinion, I don’t have any concerns about the pitches. In fact, I was concerned about the second Test, whether the surface would last for five days,” quoted the Secretary of ACA.

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MV Sridhar, the General Manager of Cricket Operations of the BCCI , said he never had any concerns with the pitch either. He cited that Mr. Gangaraju was worried about the Test track. However, both tracks look absolutely decent now and the matches will be held as scheduled.

“There was never any concern over the ODI, for that would be played on a different pitch. As for the India-England game, I think Dr Gangaraju was a bit worried because Vizag would be hosting a Test match for the first time. But I can assure you that preparations are going along the right track. Both matches will be held according to the schedule and there’s absolutely no problem,” Sridhar quoted.