Former Indian cricketer and current coach, Rahul Dravid, has raised concerns over the practice facilities provided for the ongoing T20 World Cup in New York. Dravid, who has played in three World Cups and coached the Indian side in the last three ICC events, expressed his disappointment at having to practice in a public park rather than a traditional cricket stadium.
The teams playing in New York have been training at Cantiague Park, which is about five miles away from the ground. Dravid found it unusual to be preparing for such a prestigious tournament in a park setting. The situation has highlighted the facilities in New York, where eight of the 16 World Cup games will be held.
The drop-in pitches for the tournament have also come under scrutiny, with Sri Lanka being bundled out for 77 against South Africa in a recent match. Damian Hough, head curator of Adelaide Oval and in charge of the pitches, had assured that they would be of the highest quality. However, the pitches have received criticism from various quarters, including former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar.
Despite the challenges faced in New York, Dravid remains hopeful that the excitement and buzz for the World Cup will increase once the games begin. He acknowledged the difference in the level of enthusiasm for cricket in the United States compared to other countries but emphasized the team’s focus on preparation and professionalism.
As the T20 World Cup progresses, cricket fans eagerly await to see how the teams will adapt to the unique conditions in New York and deliver thrilling performances on the pitch.