Controversial footage regarding the Pune pitch used in the Black Caps' loss to India overnight has surfaced, allegedly showing the head groundsman assuring undercover reporters the wicket would be tailored for specific Indian bowlers.
A sting operation by India Today was carried out, with curator Pandurang Salgaonkar seemingly indicating, on video, that he was willing to tamper the pitch to give advantage to two particular bowlers.
The bowlers were not identified.
Salgaonkar even allowed the reporters, disguised as bookies, access to the pitch to tamper with it themselves, despite Indian cricket board rules preventing unaccredited persons, including journalists, from approaching the pitch.
"It's not allowed. Still, we did it. The BCCI observer is also sitting around," Salgaonkar said in the footage.
"If someone asks me tomorrow, I'd say no one came. I don't know."
Salgaonkar went further the next day, revealing pivotal information about the pitch to the undercover reporters before assuring them he could doctor the wicket to favour two Indian bowlers.
"It is very good. I guess it will garner 337 (runs)," Salgaonkar disclosed.
"Are you sure?"
"Sure and 337 will be chase-able," the curator replied a day before the ODI. "There's no doubt about it."
"Two players want some bounce on the pitch. If that can be done," the reporter asked.
"It will be given," Salgaonkar said.
Salgaonkar was barred from entering the ground for the match which India won by six wickets after the Black Caps' top order collapsed.
The Black Caps won the toss and opted to bat but only reached 230/9 in their innings.
SHARE ME