No instructions to curator on pitch: BCCI

The BCCI denied issuing any instructions to the curator about the type of surface to be prepared for the final cricket Test between India and SA.

After the humiliation in Ahmedabad, the Green Park pitch sports a predictable dry look but BCCI on Thursday denied issuing any instructions to the curator about the type of surface to be prepared for the third and final cricket Test between India and South Africa.

“BCCI has not given any instruction and it is for the Pitches (and Grounds) Committee to decide on the wicket. In this case also, no instructions were given,” BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla said

The pitch at Motera, the venue for the second Test, provided some encouragement for the South African pacemen and they skittled out India for just 76 on the first morning of the match, which culminated in an innings and 90 run victory for the visitors.

Shukla said preparing the wicket was totally the prerogative of the curator. “It is the curator only who has made the wicket.”

The absence of master batsman Sachin Tendulkar for the second and third Tests of the series has put additional pressure on the hosts and Shukla was non-committal about his availability in the upcoming Indian Premier League, where he is scheduled to lead the Mumbai Indians.

“Tendulkar is recovering from (groin) injury and if he is fully fit before the IPL begins, he will take part from the beginning,” the BCCI vice-president said.