Indian cricket team upset before Champions Trophy tie vs Pakistan - This is why
Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli and coach Anil Kumble had reservations as the practice arena was small in size. The main issue was the run-up for fast bowlers. India will begin their ICC Champions Trophy 2017 campaign against Pakistan in Birmingham on Sunday.
The Indian cricket team was unhappy with the practice facilities at Edgbaston with captain Virat Kohli and coach Anil Kumble making their displeasure known, according to a report on PTI. (ICC CHAMPIONS TROPHY FULL COVERAGE)
The report added that both Kohli and Kumble had reservations as the arena was small in size. The main issue was the run-up for fast bowlers.
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Thursday was India’s first training day in Birmingham and they were allocated the practice arena adjacent to main stadium.
It was learnt that Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya, all of whom have a 30-yard run-up, couldn’t bowl full tilt at the nets as the distance wasn’t big enough.
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The captain and the coach sent manager Kapil Malhotra to sort the issue with Warwickshire (local county) authorities.
The fact that Australia and New Zealand would be playing a game on Friday at Edgbaston may have prompted the authorities to deny India full facilities or those at the main arena.
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The Pakistan team, India’s opponents on Sunday, also practiced at the same ground.
However, since they have been camping in Birmingham over the past week, they have already got a feel of the main practice arena.
India will only get a feel of the main turf on Saturday, prior to the marquee clash.
