The Indian cricket team is reportedly not thrilled. They’re heading into their upcoming Test series warm-up against Sri Lanka, and the practice pitch? It’s got way too much grass for their liking, sparking some serious concern within the squad.
The Grassy Surface That Has India Unhappy
This isn’t just a random complaint, either. The tour opener, a three-day practice match against a Sri Lanka XI, is scheduled to kick off Friday at the Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground in Colombo. Now, the NCC Ground usually offers a pitch that helps out spin bowlers, so the decision to keep a bunch of grass on the surface is a huge curveball. According to a report by Revsportz, this call didn’t sit well with the visiting Indian team at all. They’re definitely concerned about how this “green” wicket will play out.
“Good and Fair”? The Official’s Take
But hold up, an NCC official, A. Francke, is out here saying, “Chill out, everyone!” He’s insisting this wicket will serve as a solid pitch for the three-day contest. Francke believes the game’s outcome will come down largely to how both teams choose to approach the game rather than any inherent bias in the wicket itself. He told Revsportz, “Our wicket may help the spinners on the second day or third day. But I will suggest anybody who wins the toss here to bat first. We always prepare good and fair wickets.”
The Twist: Sri Lanka Cricket Wanted the Grass
Francke acknowledged that the Indian team had indeed flagged their concerns over the excess grass. However, he explained that leaving some grass cover is standard practice for a three-day fixture. “The Indian team said that there is too much grass on the wicket, but that is how we keep it because it is a three-day game,” he stated. “You can’t give a wicket without grass. Other than that, they were happy with it. The wicket we have given is a good wicket, so I can’t tell whether it will favor any team. It depends on how they play.” And here’s the kicker: Francke clarified that the decision to retain that “tinge of grass” on the pitch actually came directly from Sri Lanka Cricket’s request! He hopes this contest will produce plenty of runs, offering India’s batters valuable time in the middle before the series proper begins in Galle.
So, can India’s batters shake off the grass anxiety and get some crucial practice? This three-day practice match against Sri Lanka XI starts Friday, August 7, at 10:00 a.m. local time in Colombo. We’ll be watching to see how this “good and fair” wicket truly plays out. You can catch all the action streaming live on the FanCode app and website.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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