“Even the Curator Is Confused…”: Rohit Sharma’s Blunt Verdict on India vs Pakistan Pitch
India captain Rohit Sharma expressed uncertainty about the pitch for the T20 World Cup match against Pakistan, noting that even the curator is “confused” about the drop-in wickets at the Nassau County ground. The unpredictable pitch has led to low scores, such as India’s match against Ireland where Ireland was bowled out for under 100. The ICC acknowledged the inconsistent nature of the tracks in New York. Rohit stated that New York is not a familiar ground for India, with the pitch behaving differently each day. This unpredictability has made planning difficult, and Rohit emphasized the need to play according to conditions. He also highlighted the slow outfield, which affects how the ball bounces and rolls, making running between the wickets crucial.
Despite these challenges, Rohit believes good cricket can neutralize external factors. He mentioned India’s confidence, especially given Pakistan’s recent loss to the USA. Rohit stressed that experience and resilience are key, referencing India’s success in challenging conditions like South Africa and Australia. Rohit hinted that Rishabh Pant would continue to bat at No. 3, a decision influenced by Pant’s IPL performance. While India has a strong World Cup record against Pakistan, Rohit insisted there is no additional pressure and acknowledged the unpredictability of T20 cricket. “Playing good cricket is what matters, not the opposition or the pitch,” Rohit said, emphasizing that team performance comes first.