By IANS,
New Delhi: Former cricketers blasted the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) for preparing a dangerous track at the Ferozeshah Kotla forcing the abandonment of the fifth and final ODI between India and Sri Lanka here Sunday.
The pitch was unfit to play, and the game was called off after 23.3 overs during which Sri Lankan players had a tough time and also took some blows to their body.
Former India captains Bishan Singh Bedi and Dilip Vengsarkar said DDCA and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) should be held accountable for the fiasco as the stadium is likely to face a 12-24 months ban from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Bedi said: “I wonder how this pitch, on which a single Ranji match was not played, is being used for international matches. It’s time to take strict action against the DDCA. The pitch was criticised during the Champions League Twenty20 and the ODI between India and Australia, but still no (remedial) step was taken.”
Vengsarkar squarely laid the blame on the BCCI and said: “It is a shame that such pitches are prepared for international matches. The BCCI pitch committee is responsible while the DDCA have a lot to answer.”
Former Sri Lanka cricketer Russel Arnold said: “The International Cricket Council (ICC) should take serious steps. A ban will be an ideal way to set examples.”