THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Last season’s Ranji Trophy was marred by a number of matches that got over in two-three days. The blame fell on host teams, who prepared sub-standard tracks to suit own requirements. It led to the unprecedented step of having all matches in neutral venues this season.
Other than that, the BCCI has also increased the number of curators on its panel. Instead of 10, this pool has gone up to 27, which means there is one in every Ranji venue. According to sources in the BCCI grounds and pitches committee, apart from the existing certified curators, those to have done Level 1 courses and attended Refresher courses have also been given the task of preparing wickets.
This was done to avoid depending too much on local curators. Their help can be sought, but the BCCI-appointed curators are fully responsible for the job.
Ratnakar Shetty, General Manager (Game Development) of BCCI, told Express more curators were appointed to ensure that venues are up to the mark. “With fewer people we couldn’t have prepared all neutral venues. So we employed those who have completed these courses. The BCCI’s regular curators will oversee things. Others are being used to assist the regular curators to prepare good wickets.”
However, Shetty said the decision to have more curators doesn’t mean pitches last season were bad in general. “We want to raise the overall standard of the game. The quality of the pitches also has to go up. It’s not that last year wickets were so bad,” he commented.
Sources in the grounds and pitches committee said they have been instructed to prepare pitches where the first day will assist batsmen, days two and three will also be batsman friendly and the final day should have purchase for spinners. “Every time we used to get the same advice. Prepare sporting wickets. But things mostly remained on papers. This time there is some effort going on. There is more seriousness. It’s a good sign,” said the source.
Nevertheless, despite these efforts some matches this season have got over in the blink of an eye. Asked about this, Shetty retorted, “It could have happened because of poor batting as well.”
shan.as@newindianexpress.com