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India commenced their initial training session in preparation for the 2024 T20 World Cup, with coach Rahul Dravid expressing dissatisfaction with the subpar facilities provided at Cantiague Park. Rohit Sharma and his team convened for a practice session on Wednesday afternoon, utilizing only three out of the six available drop-in pitches at the makeshift location.
“Everything is makeshift – from pitches to other facilities. Safe to say everything is very average in nature. The team has raised their concerns,” says a source close to developments.
CricketNext has reached out to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for a statement regarding Coach Dravid’s apprehensions. The article will be promptly updated upon receiving a response from the global governing body.
India is scheduled to have their sole warm-up match against Bangladesh on June 1, during which they will continue to utilize the facilities at Cantiague Park. Even beyond this fixture, the venue will serve as the primary training ground for the Men in Blue. They are set to play three out of their four group stage matches—against Pakistan, USA, and Ireland—in New York before concluding their group stage fixtures with a match against Canada in Florida.
The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York lacks practice amenities, serving solely as a venue for matches. In response, the global cricket authority has designated Cantiague Park as the official training site for teams. However, this facility is situated at a considerable distance from the stadium, necessitating logistical considerations for teams during their preparation for matches.
The anticipation leading up to the 2024 World Cup has been lackluster, with little to no excitement surrounding the event. Alongside worries about the makeshift facilities, unfavorable weather conditions have added to the challenges. Rain has been reported in certain parts of New York, while a storm in Dallas has caused damage to the T20 World Cup venue.
The Grand Prairie Stadium, hosting a portion of the tournament, suffered significant damage during the thunderstorms, with the giant temporary LED screen being completely destroyed.
