It seems that BCCI has woken from a deep slumber. While it might be true that Indian captain had his say during the pitch preparation in the recently concluded India Australia series, things will be different in the upcoming IPL series that is due to begin on April 6th. The Chennai Super Kings captain will have no say in pitch preparation during the series if sources are to be believed.
BCCI has come up with a strict set of guidelines that prohibits any suggestions from teams or franchises on pitch preparation. A meeting of five zonal members of ground and pitch committee was conducted earlier this month. The meeting passed a resolution that formulated guidelines for the pitch curator. These guidelines will be applicable at all the venues of the proposed IPL matches.
The curators were specially called over to Mumbai for the meeting on March 17th and apprised of the decision, the cricket board has taken. Perhaps the spirit of the game might be upheld by this decision but analysts are viewing this from a different respective. In their view, the decision has been necessitated due to the fact that all the teams participating in the tournament are domestic in origin and any favor to a particular team might create an imbalance among players, almost all of whom play for the national team.
However, BCCI has something else to point out to counter this argument. BCCI sources have pointed out that this decision will help bring uniformity in pitches all over the country and players will get a fair chance to display the talent.
BCCI in its decision has left the imperative question of pitch preparation to the host association who will have all its say in the decisions regarding pitch preparation. This leaves little room for speculations as players and franchises will be debarred from taking any decision regarding pitch preparation.
The chairman of pitches and ground committee Mr.. Daljeet Singh from BCCI will however be available for any suggestions to make the pitch suitable for playing conditions. By taking this decision of keeping out players from the preview of pitch preparation, BCCI wants to send a signal that it is firmly in hold of the cricket scenario in the country. IPL has always come under scanner for mismanagement and other issues. BCCI perhaps wishes to silent its critics by taking a positive decision that will go a long way in upholding the spirit of the game.
BCCI is keen to see close contests in most of the IPL matches and by leaving the pitch preparation to the concerned association, the cricket body perhaps wants to attract more spectators to the event. Moreover, the best venue will be offered a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh by BCCI.
Much however needs to be done on the national front and one wishes if the same set of conditions applies to international cricket too when it comes to organizing matches in India.
