Ranji Trophy final: Arun Lal rates Rajkot pitch as poor
Former Indian cricketer and current Bengal coach Arun Lal was left dissatisfied with the pitch on offer against Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy 2019-20 finale. The match is being played in Rajkot, which is the home venue of Saurashtra. Lal said the BCCI should probe how such a sub-standard surface was prepared for such a big occasion. Here are further details.
Lal terms Rajkot pitch as very poor
Lal termed the pitch as very poor and said this isn't good for cricket. "Very poor wicket. The board has to look into things like these. The ball is not coming up. This is not good for cricket. The ball is not getting off, it is dusting, reversing. Very poor," Lal said after close of play on Day 1.
'Even the curator has not done a good job'
Lal also lashed out at the curator for not doing his job well. When asked whether the match should have been held in a neutral venue, Lal said, "No, not necessarily (on neutral venue). You have got neutral curators. The board should look into it. Send your curator 15 days before the game. Even the curator has not done a good job."
How has the match panned out so far?
Saurashtra added 82 runs for the wicket on a pitch that assisted batting at the start. Avi Barot and Vishvaraj Jadeja scored respective fifties with two wickets falling in the second session. Bengal bowlers bowled tight in the third session and picked up three scalps. Saurashtra ended Day 1 at 206/5. On Day 2, the hosts have started well and are batting on 262/5.
Lal gives an analysis of the pitch
Lal gave an analysis of the pitch. "We had to attack the batsman (in third session). You have to contain runs, like I said it is a poor wicket. Medium pacer is bowling with one slip and there is no chance of ball carrying it to slips. It would be a disgrace if the ball starts rolling through on day three," said Lal.
BCCI needs to be more serious regarding Ranji Trophy
Looking at the pitch, there is no excitement at all. It's a Ranji Trophy final and by the look of things, the BCCI hasn't been serious about the same. One should have provided a sporting wicket and not what we saw on Day 1.
