T20 World Cup 2024: Team India Unhappy With ‘Average’ New York Practice Facilities: Reports

The ICC T20 World Cup is just days away as all the teams have assembled in the USA. India will start their T20 World Cup campaign with a match against Ireland on June 5.

Ahead of the tournament, Team India members take the field to be engaged in rigorous practice sessions. Under the watchful eye of Rahul Dravid and his coaching staff, Rohit Sharma and Co. took their time to get themselves acclimatised to the US condition following the conclusion of the IPL recently.

As per a News18 report, the Indian team weren’t happy with the practice facilities provided to them and raised their concern with the ICC. The venue reportedly has been altered with makeshift practice facilities for the T20 World Cup.

The team were also not happy with the food arrangements at the venue and ICC was further made aware by the Indian authorities for their poor management. A source told News18, “Everything is makeshift – from pitches to other facilities. Safe to say everything is very average in nature. The team has raised their concerns.”

But when the International Cricket Council (ICC) was quizzed by them they denied receiving any complaints from the Indian team. “there has been no complaint or concern expressed regarding the practice facilities at Cantiague Park by any team”.

The Cantiague Park in New York has been reserved by ICC for Team India and the Indian players used three of the six drop-in pitches available to them. This very ground will remain India’s primary training facility in the city as the Men In Blue are scheduled to face Ireland, Pakistan and the USA at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.

Another issue is that the stadium is pretty far from the practice facility which might be a bit concerning as travelling long distances could be an issue during the tournament. The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium doesn’t have any practice facilities on its own and therefore ICC decided to provide an alternate venue to Team India for their practice.

India will also play a practice match against Bangladesh at Cantiague Park.