Chepauk pitch to be relayed ahead of next season

The wicket at the MA Chidambaram Stadium was criticised by the players and the fans alike for its slow nature, throughout this season of the Indian Premier League. The first match of the cash rich league saw the Royal Challengers Bangalore were bowled out for 70 runs and even the hosts Chennai Super Kings huffed and puffed, taking 17.4 overs to achieve the target. The average score in T20s in Chennai this year was 144. The TNCA ( Tamil Nadu Cricket Association) even erected a tent like structure above the pitches to safeguard it from the excessive heat during the summer.

These factors have prompted the TNCA to go ahead with the decision of relaying the pitch. However, an official came to the defence of the state governing body and stated that the decision was mooted even before the start of the IPL.

"We had taken the decision (to relay the pitch) well before the IPL season had started. So it's not correct on anyone's part to say that this move was mooted as a result of how the wicket behaved during the IPL," the official said, reported TNN.

The pitch used to support pacers back in the day but it now greatly assists spinners. All the eight pitches will be relayed, similar to what was done five years ago. The official revealed that the new pitches will be consistent and play true to their nature.

"We last undertook this initiative back in the 2014-15 season. This exercise has to be done in order to maintain consistency and true nature of the wicket," the official maintained.

The official also revealed that the entire process will take about 45 days.

"We expect the work to be concluded by the second week of July. We are changing the soil base so that the pitch holds good. The re-laid wicket will offer true bounce and carry. There was a lot of talk about the wicket during the season. We hope it will play true in the next season," he reiterated.