Rahul Dravid shared his thoughts on the newly-built Nassau County International Cricket Stadium’s pitch after India’s convincing 60-run victory over Bangladesh in a warm-up match on Saturday, June 1. This match was a litmus test for the stadium in New York, which was impressively completed in just 103 days and features a drop-in pitch imported from Australia.
After India’s dominant performance, head coach Dravid commended the swift establishment of the facilities but noted that the ground’s softness caused some issues for his players, particularly concerning their hamstrings and calves. He emphasized the need for players to be cautious to prevent injuries.
“It’s great to get a good run-out. The facility is impressive considering how quickly it was set up. However, the ground is a bit soft, and the guys felt it in their hamstrings and calves. This is something we need to monitor to ensure players’ well-being. The ground feels a little heavy underfoot,” Rahul Dravid remarked in a video posted by the BCCI on social media.
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“At times, it felt a bit spongy, but I thought we managed well. The batters posted an above-par score on that wicket, and the bowlers performed excellently. Overall, getting a game here was nice. We hope to prepare well in the next couple of days and be ready,” he added.
India posted a formidable 182/5 in their 20 overs after opting to bat first. Rishabh Pant dazzled with a 32-ball 53, while Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya played entertaining knocks, much to the delight of fans at the picturesque venue. In response, Bangladesh struggled, slumping to 41/5 before being restricted to 122/9.
Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Dube were standout performers with the ball, finishing with figures of 2/12 and 2/13, respectively. Post-match, they discussed the challenges of playing at this new venue where India will play three out of their four Group A matches.
Arshdeep commented, “It feels good; it’s important how you start. We got early wickets and didn’t give away runs. The wicket was helping us, so we kept it simple and got the desired result. The ground is sand-based, so you need to get your rhythm right. Adapting to the conditions here will be a challenge. We are adapting well because the practice sessions were also held in the morning, and everyone gave their 100%. This effort showed on the field, leading to a nice result.”
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Shivam Dube added, “It was fun playing here, and it’s great to start with a win in our first warm-up game. The stadium is well-built, but it presents challenges for players. The warm-up match was crucial for us to get ready for the T20 World Cup. It was important to get used to the batting, bowling, and fielding conditions. Playing today gave us a good idea of what to expect, and it was a different and valuable experience.”
This match provided not only a promising start for India but also valuable insights into adapting to the new venue’s unique conditions, setting the stage for a well-prepared campaign in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
