India-New Zealand ODI to go ahead despite pitch controversy

The stadium’s pitch curator was seen agreeing to tamper with the pitch in a sting operation by a TV channel.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni bats in the nets during a game during a training session ahead of the 2nd one day international (ODI) cricket match between India and New Zealand at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

The second India-New Zealand ODI will go ahead as scheduled in Pune on Wednesday after an ICC observer approved the pitch, Maharashtra Cricket Association President Abhay Apte said following the storm kicked up by the curator’s suspension owing to a sting operation.

“The ICC Observer has approved the pitch and match will start on schedule,” Maharashtra Cricket Association President Abhay Apte said after an inspection of the pitch.

The stadium’s pitch curator, Pandurang Salgaoncar, was seen and heard speaking to an undercover reporter, who poses as a bookie, in a sting done by India Today TV .

The 68-year-old Salgaoncar is seen agreeing to tamper with the pitch to suit the requirements put forth by the reporter.

India Today TV said the video was shot last evening. It is not clear how Salgaoncar, a former pacer and one-time India prospect, could have tweaked the pitch with just a few hours to go before the match scheduled to start at 1.30 p.m.