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Kanpur: Just as the Indian team entered the Green Park stadium on Sunday, a battery of photographers and cameramen positioned themselves right behind the main pitch, knowing the players would be eager to get a first-hand glimpse of the playing surface for the second Test against Sri Lanka.
Following the dreary draw at Ahmedabad, and given the past controversies over Kanpur pitches, it's no surprise the 22-yard strip was the focus of attention.
Skipper MS Dhoni, coach Gary Kirsten, followed by spinners Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra and then the rest of the team, all gave it a close look.
However, this time too the preparation of the wicket has been mired in controversy. There was a disagreement between the curator of the UP government's sports department, which owns the stadium, and the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) regarding which strip to prepare for the Test, which begins on Tuesday.
The main pitch, on which the Test against South Africa last year ended inside three days, has been relaid, following a stern warning by the ICC. Sports department curator Shiv Kumar wanted this match to be played on the newly-laid turf, which is yet to settle down.
Though it has a green tinge, it's anybody's guess whether the tinge will last till match day. The curator, though, is against removing the grass as it will ensure that the surface holds firm for a full five days.
