Franchises have no say on pitch, says pitch expert

Former BCCI pitches committee chairman says, as per 2008 guidelines, only state associations have authority to prepare or use any strip

Franchises have no say on pitch, says pitch expert

Former BCCI pitches committee chairman says, as per 2008 guidelines, only state associations have authority to prepare or use any strip

Former BCCI ground and pitches committee chairman Daljit Singh has reminded Rajasthan Royals and their skipper Shane Warne of a guideline effective since 2008 that denies a franchise any say regarding pitch issues.

Rajasthan Royals skipper Shane Warne and Mumbai Indians captain
Sachin Tendulkar share a light moment after their IPL match at the
Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on April 9

After Monday's game, Warne blasted authorities for asking his side to play on a different surface at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur following a series of low-scoring games. The new strip proved to be a batting beauty, which Warne felt worked against his side. "In 2008, after discussions with then member of IPL Governing Council, Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi, we initiated a guideline, which clearly states that only home associations, in this case Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA), have authority to prepare or use a particular pitch," Daljit told MiD DAY from Mohali where Mumbai were preparing for a clash against Punjab.

"We discussed that in T20 cricket, the whole concept of away and home doesn't exist with regards to how the pitch plays. It should be a pitch that both sides enjoy playing on, unlike in a Test match, where providing home advantage is a norm."

Daljit cited the example of the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi for pulling through a successful change of strip.
"The first game of Delhi saw them get bowled out for just 95, and then the DDCA played on a different strip. Immediately, totals in excess of 200 were scored," he said.

Daljit further said that Indian Premier League franchises had no say in the choice of pitch. "None of the franchises have any authority to ask home associations for a particular type of pitch," he said.

"The guidelines made it clear that state associations have more experience with regards to preparing pitches, and must have a final say on things. In this case, BCCI'su00a0 ground and pitches committee told RCA to find a better batting surface because there were too many low scoring totals."

"It's unfair for Rajasthan Royals to blame BCCI or anyone else for this because they played on a batting beauty against Chennai on Monday evening," he concluded.