Indian team have started their preparations for T20 World Cup 2024 in Cantiague Park, New York but they are not happy with the practice facilities being provided.
As per reports in Indian media, coach Rahul Dravid is not pleased with the “average” facilities given to the side in Cantiague Park.
Rohit Sharma and Co. assembled for a net session on Wednesday afternoon and used three of the six drop-in pitches available at the makeshift venue.
“Everything is makeshift – from pitches to other facilities. Safe to say everything is very average in nature. The team has raised their concerns,” a source close to developments told News18.
CricketNext contacted the International Cricket Council (ICC) to request a response regarding coach Dravid’s concerns and the global body responded that “there has been no complaint or concern expressed regarding the practice facilities at Cantiague Park by any team”.
India play their only warm-up against Bangladesh on June 1 at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium and will be using the facilities at Cantiague Park until then.
Even after that, it will remain the only training facility for the Men in Blue as they will be playing three of their four group matches – against Pakistan, USA, and Ireland – in New York, before moving to Florida for their final game against Canada.
The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York lacks practice facilities, and the modular venue will be utilised solely for matches. The global body has designated Cantiague Park as the official training facility for teams, which is located a considerable distance from the stadium.
In the tournament, India will be aiming to end their ICC trophy drought, having last won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Since then, India has reached the 50-over World Cup final in 2023, semifinal in 2015 and 2019, the title clash of the ICC World Test Championship in 2021 and 2023, T20 WC final in 2014, semifinals in 2016 and 2022 but failed to secure a big ICC trophy.
India squad: Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj.
Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan.
