The Hindu : Sport : A result-oriented pitch, says curator

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Wednesday, Nov 21, 2007
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Sport

A result-oriented pitch, says curator

Rakesh Rao

NEW DELHI: Curator Radhey Shyam Sharma promises a sporting “result-oriented” pitch for the first India-Pakistan Test beginning at the Ferozeshah Kotla here on Thursday.

“This is not a typical Kotla pitch,” assures the 73-year-old curator, the man behind the surface that saw Anil Kumble make history with a 10-wicket haul in Pakistan’s second innings in 1999. Radhey Shyam is also recognised for his quality to prepare pitches that play true.

“I want to see a result in a Test match. In today’s cricket, there is no place for a five-day draw. People are keen for results and the advent of Twenty20 has only added to the hunger of the paying public to see results. So, I have prepared this pitch with something for every one,” Radhey Shyam had said on Monday.

“I have prepared two practice pitches and I am sure the teams will like them,” he said. The practice pitches are placed behind the new dressing rooms and came in for praise from the Delhi and Rajasthan bowlers recently.

“Easily one of the best pitches for practice one has seen,” the two stalwarts of Delhi cricket, K. P. Bhaskar and Manoj Prabhakar, had remarked.

Talking about the surface prepared for the Test match, Radhey Shyam said, “on the first day, it will be interesting to see how the bowlers use the conditions. Since it is a new stadium with raised stands, the advantage to the fast bowlers will not be the same as in the past.

Honest attempt

“In my opinion, the second day’s pitch is the best for batting and the strokemakers should make the most of it. On days three and four, the spikes worn by the batsmen and bowlers tend to damage the pitch. From thereon the spinners take over. I wish to see an even contest between the bat and the ball. For this reason, I’ve made an honest attempt to prepare a sporting pitch.”

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