Rotation policy or twisted logic?

Last week, the BCCI announced the venues for the home series against Pakistan. The list has drawn much criticism, especially because it appe...

Last week, the BCCI announced the venues for the home series against Pakistan. The list has drawn much criticism, especially because it appears to show up inconsistencies in the BCCI8217;s 8216;8216;rotation8217;8217; policy of awarding matches. CHANDRESH NARAYANAN sifts through the issues and BCCI secretary SK Nair answers the questions or so we think

Why have Rajkot and Nagpur been ignored by the BCCI?

8226; Grouse: Rajkot and Nagpur last hosted an ODI during the West Indies series and since then there has been just one more one-day series TVS Cup 2003-04. How can this happen?
8226; Nair8217;s Defence: We Programmes, Fixtures Committee have a list and strictly allot venues on the basis of the same. Anyway, this committee recommends the venues, it is up to the working committee to approve or disapprove the choices.

Don8217;t Jamshedpur and Kanpur flout ICC guidelines?

8226; Grouse: Jamshedpur does not have an airport, whereas Kanpur has limited hotel accommodation. These are prerequisites according to the ICC guidelines for international venues.
8226; Nair8217;s defence: The first important thing the committee does is to allot venues as per the list. Only after that comes the question of guidelines. If the government agencies, PCB or even the ICC finds a problem we will be ready to shift the match.

What about untested pitches?

8226; Grouse: Delhi8217;s Kotla may or may not be ready in time, while Vizag has a new pitch. Both have been allotted matches. Are they fit for international use?
8226; Nair8217;s defence: We have in the past taken away a Test from Kanpur because the pitch was not fit

Cuttack is officially a Test centre, why hasn8217;t it hosted a Test for years?

8226; Grouse: Barabati Stadium is one of 10 official Test centres but has hosted just two Tests in 18 years. When the Test pitches were relaid with New Zealand help recently, it was mentioned that Cuttack is also a Test centre. However, it has consistently been overlooked for Tests, this time too. Despite the fact that Cuttack has floodlights and has hosted an India-New Zealand ODI as well.
8226; Nair8217;s defence: Till recently Cuttack was a centre but no longer. However, they may very soon get to host but they have to fulfil certain guidelines like lighting and certain other facilities. They have done some of those already, maybe their turn will come soon.

WHAT IS ROTATION POLICY?

	nbsp;	8226; There are fixed number of Test and one-day centres in the country. Of this there are 10 Test centres 8212; Delhi, Mohali North; Mumbai, Ahmedabad West; Kolkata, Cuttack East; Kanpur, Nagpur Central; Bangalore, Chennai South 8226; The rest are one-day centres can host only tour matches and ODIs 8226; The Test centres can host both one-dayers and Tests 8226; There is a cycle of two years at the end of which the process starts all over again. For e.g Mumbai hosted a one-day match against Australia in 2003-04 and will now get a turn when Sri Lanka tour in October 2005	nbsp;