The second ODI between India and New Zealand which is scheduled in Pune has come under scanner after Pune pitch curator Pandurang Salgaoncar was seen giving inside information to reporters disguised as bookies, in a sting operation done by Generalist. Pune pitch custodian Pandurang Salgaonkar was caught on camera talking where he revealed that the pitch will be made according to their ('bookies') demands.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and International Cricket Council (ICC) rules state that no one, other than the authorized officials can come inside the stadium or inspect the pitch for that matter. When asked that a couple of players wanted some bounce on the wicket, then Salgaonkar boasted 'it will be done'. He also mentioned the fact that the wicket will be a 350+ wicket and the team batting second can also chase down the target as it will be a batting paradise.
The last time India played at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, the ICC labeled the pitch 'poor', as the first match of the three-Test series between India and Australia had ended in the post-tea session on the third day. Spin wizard Shane Warne had famously referred to the surface as an ‘eighth-day wicket’ on the first day of the match itself. Incidentally, curator Pandurang Salgaoncar spoke to Cricketnext on Tuesday and said that he is confident of avoiding a similar fate this time as India play New Zealand in the second ODI on Wednesday.
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