It’s no secret that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the wealthiest cricket board in the world, with its vast resources and influence shaping the global cricket landscape. Yet, despite this financial clout, it appears that critical steps to improve basic infrastructure and planning are woefully neglected.
The recent delay in the one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand at Greater Noida due to poor pitch conditions and ongoing rain is just another example of BCCI’s failure to take decisive action where it truly matters.
For the second consecutive day, rain and inadequate ground preparation have prevented play from starting. Ground staff are resorting to makeshift methods, using electric fans to dry wet patches on the field, and even laying tarpaulins and fresh turf to attempt to salvage the situation.
While these efforts may seem admirable, they are a glaring indicator of the larger issue at play: why is a venue, which has hosted international cricket since 2017, still ill-prepared for the natural challenges it should have anticipated?
This isn’t just a one-off situation either. Rain-affected matches and substandard pitches are not new to Indian cricket. Time and again, we’ve seen games disrupted due to poor drainage systems, lack of modern covers, or ill-maintained outfields, despite the fact that the BCCI possesses the wealth to ensure world-class facilities.
The BCCI’s focus on glitzy events like the IPL, which garners massive global attention and revenue, seems to overshadow the very essence of what should be at the core: maintaining top-quality facilities for all forms of cricket, not just the marquee tournaments. Afghanistan, with the support of the BCCI, has been hosting matches in India for years, yet this Test match is being marred by something as basic as rain management.
One user in the comments section wrote, “To kya hair dryer lagaega”. The other wrote, “Chinnswami jaisi drainage system honi chahiye kisi bhi international stadium me”. The third user wrote, “BCCI could have given a stadium with better facilities.”