T20 World Cup 2024: New York matches to be relocated after India's complaint? ICC's stance revealed amid pitch controversy

As concerns mount over the substandard pitches at New York's Nassau County International Cricket Stadium for the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024, discussions have emerged regarding the potential relocation of matches from the venue.

The untested drop-in pitches in New York have faced heavy criticism from fans and cricket experts for favoring the bowlers excessively after Sri Lanka's collapse for 77 against South Africa and India bundling out Ireland for 96 in their respective matches in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

It is being said that India has expressed discontent in front of the International Cricket Council (ICC) privately over the unpredictable bounce and two-paced nature of the strips for their T20 World Cup 2024 opener against Ireland on June 5 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.

ICC reviews data amidst pitch criticism, but New York matches remain unchanged at ICC T20 World Cup 2024

However, despite the heavy criticism, there are no immediate plans to move the remaining T20 World Cup 2024 matches from New York’s Nassau County International Cricket Stadium to other venues.

With the highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash scheduled for Sunday, June 8, at Eisenhower Park, where a full-capacity crowd of 32,000 is expected, concerns about player safety have increased.

During the India-Ireland clash, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma was struck on the right bicep, while wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was struck on the elbow during the game. In the same match, Ireland's Harry Tector was also hit on the gloves and was seen shaking his fingers in pain in New York.

Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council (ICC) is reportedly reviewing data from past games affected by pitch conditions, but the officials have confirmed that there is no possibility of relocating T20 World Cup 2024 matches from New York to venues in Florida or Texas, both featuring natural turf strips. The pitches in New York are drop-in surfaces.

"Unused pitch has been designated for the India v Pakistan showdown"

However, an unused pitch has been kept for the India-Pakistan encounter, with the possibility of adjustments based on the performance of other pitches leading up to the high-octane match of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 on Sunday at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.

A report from BBC reads: “India have privately voiced their unhappiness with the unpredictable bounce and two-paced nature of the strips amid worries over the safety of their batters. The ICC is believed to be analysing data from previously abandoned games to establish how to react should it need to act.

However, ICC officials have maintained there are no contingency plans in place to switch any of the New York games to venues in Florida or Texas, both of which have natural turf strips. It is understood an unused pitch has been designated for the India v Pakistan showdown, although there is flexibility to alter that decision depending on how other pitches play before that encounter.”

Additionally, fears have surfaced regarding the six drop-in pitches installed at the practice facility in the nearby Cantiague Park. Reports suggest that South African batters chose to undergo throw-downs instead of facing their own bowlers or local net bowlers due to concerns over potential injuries.