Head coach Rahul Dravid acknowledged the unusual lack of excitement for the T20 World Cup in the US, noting the different atmosphere due to cricket’s low popularity.
The T20 World Cup in the United States is not only struggling to attract local interest but is also facing criticism for its training facilities and match conditions. Teams in New York have been practicing at Cantiague Park, located about five miles from the main ground, which has impacted the tournament’s atmosphere. Indian coach Rahul Dravid acknowledged the unique situation at a press conference.
“Yeah, obviously it’s slightly different. It’s obviously exciting that it’s coming to a new country, it’s coming to a new place. (It) feels slightly different in terms of, I guess, typically the buzz that you have around these events, with cricket not being one of the major sports in this country. So you don’t feel that kind of buzz over here. But hopefully, once our games start and a lot of the Indian fans do start coming in, you start seeing that similar kind of excitement,” Dravid admitted.
“So things are certainly different from that perspective. But yeah, I think from a preparation perspective and from what we want to get out of it, I don’t think that’s changed, our preparation, our professionalism, the way we are trying to approach things. It’s pretty similar to what we would normally do,” he continued.
“It’s a bit strange to be practicing in a park. Obviously, at the World Cups you’d be in big stadiums or you’d be at cricket stadiums traditionally. But you know, we’re at a public park and practicing,” Dravid added.
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Adding to the concerns, the newly constructed Nassau County stadium’s drop-in pitch has received severe criticism. Sri Lanka recorded their lowest T20 score of 77 all out against South Africa on Monday, with the latter struggling to chase the low target.
Despite these challenges, Dravid assured that the team’s intensity and preparation remain unaffected. As the tournament progresses, the hope is that better conditions and the influx of fans will elevate the experience.
Last Updated on June 4, 2024
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