New York pitch the focus ahead of India-Pakistan showdown

The marquee match of all major white-ball tournaments, as far as the organisers and broadcasters are concerned, has taken a different shade in 2024. India vs Pakistan has over the past decade turned into biggest non-knockout match of all ICC and ACC events – the ODI and T20 World Cups, the 50-over Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup – and thus the two teams are pitted against other in favourable first round draws to heighten chances of a repeat in the second stage, and then once more in the semi-finals. 

It has not always panned out as the ICC, ACC and the host broadcasters have expected, but the idea of India and Pakistan playing in the league stage of the 2024 T20 World Cup in unchartered territory was why the stakeholders drew a big fat red circle around June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket on Long Island, New York. 

However, if the undercooked drop-in, and at times dangerous, pitch for Sunday’s game plays the way the two matches held at the venue have so far, the ICC and the host broadcasters may not have much place to hide, since India versus Pakistan is the match that the fans want maximum entertainment from. 

In the first match between Sri Lanka and South Africa, 14 wickets fell for 157 runs. Next, India bowled out Ireland for 96 in 16 overs. Genuine concerns have been laid bare about these pitches imported from Adelaide, as the fast bowlers in both games have got the ball to seam around with pace and bounce. These fixtures were supposed to attract the expat fans as well as lure in a new audience in America but based on what we have witnessed in New York – as well as in Dallas in other matches – the conditions are not conducive to T20 cricket. 

India skipper Rohit Sharma did his best to allay fears that the drop-in pitches were too helpful to the fast men, using a dropped catch when he was on 2 to score 52 off 37 balls, but the sight of several batsmen hopping and fending and copping body blows has raised concerns about the New York venue. 

Rohit had to retire hurt after reaching his half-century, having been struck on the right arm by Ireland quick Josh Little, and even though he later played down the problem later by saying he was just “sore” the prospect of more tough times at the crease have been increased.

Rohit commented after the win over Ireland that he and the team management would reassess their plans, even hinting that spin would not have as big a role to play here as he had anticipated. India fielded five seam options against Ireland – Shivam Dube was not required to bowl – and barring Mohammed Siraj, three of them enjoyed success in New York. Arshdeep Singh, the left-armer, grabbed two wickets in an over, Hardik Pandya marked his return to the Indian team after seven months with three wickets and Jasprit Bumrah was named Player of the Match for figures of 3-1-6-2. 

India fielded two like-for-like left-arm spinners in Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel on Wednesday, leaving out their premier white-ball spinner Kuldeep Yadav. There is a chance that Kuldeep plays on Sunday, given his record against Pakistan captain Babar Azam. 

Pakistan boast a quartet of fast bowlers in Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Amir and all four are a genuine possibility on Sunday. Pakistan can easily leave out a second spinner, because Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed can do the job. 

India got their ODI mojo back during the 2023 Asia Cup when they regrouped from a washout with Pakistan to smash them in the repeat match in Colombo, and then annihilated them during the World Cup not too long after. But as we saw in the two teams’ first meeting in the Asia cup, where the conditions are helpful for seam and bounce, it is Pakistan who have the edge. 

A cracker awaits in New York, but perhaps not the way many expected before the tournament began. And for that, the New York drop-in pitch and slow outfield are to be held accountable. 

India predicted 11: 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Virat Kohli, 3 Rishabh Pant (wk), 4 Suryakumar Yadav, 5 Shivam Dube, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Axar Patel/Kuldeep Yadav, 9 Jasprit Bumrah, 10 Arshdeep Singh, 11 Mohammed Siraj 

Pakistan predicted 11: Mohammad Rizwan, 2 Babar Azam (capt), 3 Usman Khan, 4 Fakhar Zaman, 5 Shadab Khan, 6 Azam Khan (wk), 7 Iftikhar Ahmed, 8 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Mohammad Amir