Sundaram thumbs-up for Kochi

The BCCI pitches and grounds committee chief lauded efforts of KCA and local curators to get the venue on par with international standards.

BCCI pitches and grounds committee chairman Venkat Sundaram on Friday gave a thumbs up to the facilities at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, the venue for the first one-dayer on April 2 between India and Pakistan.

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Sundaram, who inspected the pitch and ground along with G Kasturirangan, told reporters that "the outfield is very even and green and the pitch is also befitting an international one-day match between two good teams".

Lauding the efforts of Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) and the local curators for the steps taken to make the facilities on par with international standards, Sundaram said: "I think the viewers on television and the spectators can look forward to an exciting match between two highly talented teams."

Pointing out that this was his second visit to Kochi, Sundaram said he was keeping in touch with the curator and the people working on the pitch.

On whether the pitch will be full of runs, he said, "The ground is excellent. The outfield is looking in good shape. The pitch is also going to play true and worthy of a one-day game. I think both the teams will enjoy playing on this ground."

After watching a couple of balls bowled on the pitch by local players, Sundaram, who had played for New Delhi in the Ranji trophy for nearly ten years, said: "There is excellent bounce and it is ideal pitch for a one-day match. I would like to bat on this pitch but I am old."

Sundaram said he would be leaving on Friday afternoon for Visakhapatnam, the venue for the second one-day match, to inspect the pitch and ground there.