T20 World Cup: Rahul Dravid worried over ‘soft ground, spongy pitch’ in New York, asks players to take caution – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Team India will be playing three of their four group stage matches of the T20 World Cup at the Nassau Stadium in New York and head coach Rahul Dravid is a bit worried over playing conditions at the newly built facility.

After their only warm-up game against Bangladesh on Saturday at the venue, Dravid shared his assessment of the conditions, pointing out that the ground was a bit soft and pitch a bit spongy.

Dravid feared injury concerns and asked players to be watchful while playing at the new venue.



India play against Ireland, Pakistan and United States at the Nassau Stadium on June 5, 9 and 12 respectively before moving to Florida for their final Group A game against Canada on June 15.

“The ground is a little bit soft. So I think the guys will feel that a little bit tomorrow on the hamstring and calves, so it is an area we have to ensure we are working around and ensure that the guys are looking after themselves because it does feel a little bit heavy underneath,” Dravid said in a video posted by BCCI.

“Little bit spongy at times but I thought we coped really well. I thought we managed that really well. We batted and put what we thought was an above par score on that wicket. Then came out and bowled really well,” he added.



In the warm-up game against Bangladesh, India batted really well on a tricky track to post 182 for five.

While keeper-batter Rishabh Pant fired a 32-ball 53 before retiring, all-rounder Hardik Pandya hit an unbeaten 23-ball 40 to lift India to a solid total.

Bowlers then fired in unison to stop Bangladesh at 122 for 9 in their 20 overs.