MCA curator was instructed to prepare slow pitch: reports

THE RAVI SHASTRI-Sudhir Naik Wankhede pitch controversy has taken a turn for the worse, after reports emerged that the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) curator was indeed asked to make 'slow turners' to assist the Indian spinners. 

On Wednesday, a top source from the BCCI Ground and Pitch Committee told The Hindu that BCCI certified curator Ramesh Mamunkar was specifically told that a 'slow pitch that would assist the spinners' be prepared for Sunday's decider between India and South Africa. In fact, Mamunkar was even told that the guideline is the same for all five matches in the series.

“Daljit Singh’s (Chairman-North) instructions were conveyed to Mamunkar on October 3 (three weeks before the last ODI at the Wankhede). Daljit also spoke to Mamunkar,’’ said a senior BCCI official following the issue that led to a spat between Shastri and curator Sudhir Naik. 

However, what happened on Sunday was exactly the opposite. The Wankhede track turned out to be a featherbed for batsmen, prepared at the behest of a senior MCA official. The South African batsmen made merry on a flat pitch, recording a record 438 and thumping India to win the series 3-2.

A furious Shastri then taunted Naik, who, according to him, did not follow the Ground and Pitch Committee guidelines.

"I was standing at the first floor railing at the end of the first innings and as Sudhir (Naik ) appeared below, I clapped and told him what a great pitch it was and well done,” Shastri told The Hindu. 

But the 70-year old former Indian cricketer was hurt by the alleged foul language Shastri used, and immediately took up the matter with the MCA.

"Whenever international matches are held, we get a message from the BCCI (Team Management) at least 10 or 12 days in advance about their requirements. This time we did not get any message and so we prepared a good batting track,'' Naik told the MCA.

Naik also questioned the right of Bharat Arun (India's bowling coach) to interfere with their ability to curate pitches. In a letter addressed to top officials of the MCA, Naik said,

“I would like to ask the management who is Mr. Bharat Arun Kumar and what right has he got to fire my assistant? His job is to coach Indian team bowlers. He was trying to interfere with our job. We have a complaint against Mr. Bharat Arun Kumar. He was after my assistant Mr. Ramesh Mamunkar and was coaxing him to put water on the pitch."

“On the day of the match he started firing him saying, “You don’t listen to me, I have been calling you since yesterday night. Why aren’t you receiving my call?’’ 

“Two days before the match, we got the message that they (Indian team) want a turning wicket. (The) wicket was already prepared hard with good binding. Whatever possible to do now was done, like watering, cutting of grass at zero level and very little rolling. The team management wanted us to water only the good length area one day before the match. We, as curators, felt it’s not advisable as two shades will be seen. Also the BCCI curator, Mr. Dhiraj Parsana, advised us not to put water.’’

Refuting all claims of having been briefed about making slow pitches, Naik has asked the MCA to reprimand Shastri and bowling coach Bharat Arun. 

Referring to the ongoing tussle, ex-Mumbai captain Shishir Hattangadi told The Hindu, 

“If you don’t make use of home conditions to suit your team’s strength, it conveys the complete lack of communication between the team management and the host association.

“It’s then that you start questioning intent (of the host association) as against team interest. To say that none of the former cricketers did not want home friendly conditions during their playing days, is like selling ice to the Eskimo.

“Any disagreement or debate or issues such as this should be done and dusted at the ground itself and not taken to the next level because nothing constructive comes out of this.”