Neutral curators did a good job: Naik

After BCCI’s recent decision of continuing with neutral curators for the forthcoming domestic season, a debate taking place in cricketing circles. The crux of the debate is whether curators coming from outside for few days can prepare good wickets or if local curators, who know the soil, are better suited for the job. Also, whether home advantage holds any weightage in domestic cricket.

The cricket governing body in India had started experimenting with neutral venues during the 2016-17 season. However, the home and away format was brought back last year, after much criticism, partly because  local fans showed no interest in the game. The BCCI decided to experiment with neutral curators last season and they have decided to continue with it in the upcoming (2018-19) season after the two-day annual curators’ conclave in Mumbai recently. The move is brought to minimise the doctoring of pitches and to increase the level of competition.

Mumbai captain, Aditya Tare, had recently pitched for local curators preparing the pitch because that gives home advantage to the teams. Also it makes it a bit more challenging when you go away and play against your strengths.

But former India and Mumbai cricketer, Sudhir Naik, thought neutral curators did an excellent job last year something endorsed by Tare as well, in his recent interview with an agency.

“Continuing with neutral curators is the right decision. Last season, neutral curators did a good job. In fact, Ajinkya Rahane came to me on the third day during the Ranji Trophy match and congratulated me. He liked the wicket, as according to him, it was like an old Wankhede wicket,” said Naik, a long time pitch curator at Wankhede Stadium, and BCCI pitch consultant.

However, former MCA managing committee member and previously, a pitch curator at MCA’s BKC ground, Nadim Memon criticised the move.

“The travelling BCCI curators are paid well and they take it like an outing. They only supervise the locals, who do all the work. How can an outsider come for four days and prepare the wicket when he has no knowledge of soil? Only locals know it better,” he felt.

Naik countered that BCCI certified curators are educated and experienced to do their job anywhere. “Neutral curators can make better pitches with guidance from locals. They are educated and experienced enough in those lines. They have prepared good wickets,” Naik said.

The former Mumbai opener felt that neutral curators work without any outside pressure, unlike locals.

“He can freely prepare wickets according to the state of the soil and conditions. Earlier, there was a lot of pressure on local curators from the management and others to create pitches that would suit the home side. This has led to the creation of substandard pitches,” he said.

Naik lashed out at people calling for home advantage and recollected that there were no curators in their times and the skipper saw the wicket only at the time of the toss. “There were no designated curators in our times. There were groundsmen who used to make wickets. We didn’t see the wicket, only the captain saw the wicket, that too at the time of toss. The team who plays better will win,” he said.

However, Memon believes that home advantage counts and he challenged the concerned authority to take action on those creating “designer pitches”.

“There should be an advantage on home ground. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (former India skipper) wanted turning pitches in Test cricket from the first ball. As far as sub standard pitches are concerned, BCCI has to take strict action on the basis of umpires reports to set a precedent,” he said.