2nd ODI: DDCA banks on grass to save face

NEW DELHI: These are anxious moments for the curators at the Ferozeshah Kotla. Often criticized for the state of the playing square and rejected by Delhi's skipper Gautam Gambhir, who opted to shift last season's Ranji Trophy home games to a private club ground instead, the curators now have a chance to impress in the one-day international against West Indies on Saturday.
As India look to draw level with the West Indies in two days time, the Kotla square, uncharacteristically, could barely be distinguished from the outfield.
Without a designated chief curator for over the last six months, Delhi and District Cricket Association grounds committee head Chetan Chauhan teamed up with a 26-year-old curator, Ankit Dutta, and has decided to play safe and ensure the pitch is conducive to good bounce.
"A lot of attention and effort has gone in this time. This won't be the typical Kotla pitch. We are not going to shave off the grass. We'll just roll it in. We have kept as much grass as possible for as long as possible so that the pitch has good carry. There has been a conscious effort to facilitate bounce," Chauhan told TOI on Thursday.
However, according to sources there is a bit of concern with Team India's persistent problem against the moving ball and that could be factored in at the time of handing over the pitch to the match officials on Saturday.
"Although the ground staff wants to retain a fair amount of grass, the probability of dew and the possibility of the air getting heavier at night could make things difficult for the batsmen against two new balls. A final call will be taken a few hours before the match. BCCI pitch and grounds committee head Daljit Singh will oversee the proceedings," the source said.
"Central Zone's chief curator Tapas Chatterjee too has done a thorough inspection of the preparations two weeks ago."
Kotla has copped a lot of criticism since it was banned for a year in 2009. The Delhi team played only the last of its four Ranji Trophy home matches at the ground last year. Daljit Singh was also rushed to the venue ahead of that game to ensure the match wasn't hampered by a poor pitch.
Chauhan, a former India opener, is keen on keeping the 'denser' layering of grass on the pitch.
"This is a crucial match for us. The rains have come very late this year. The pitch is still wet underneath and that is why there is the heavy layering of grass. There should be movement with the new ball. Batsmen have to be a bit careful early on. Otherwise, the pitch should be very good to bat on," Chauhan said.