An unexpected hurdle emerged on Day 2 of IND vs SA 2nd Test at Newlands Cricket Ground. As concerns about the bowler’s landing area forced a temporary stoppage in play.
During Mukesh Kumar’s delivery, the umpire and players, including Rohit Sharma, noticed an issue with the landing zone. Rohit humorously urged Mukesh to continue, saying, “daal dena bhai” (carry on bowling, bro). However, the matter required attention from the ground staff.
Upon closer inspection, it was revealed that there was a noticeable hole in the bowler’s landing area, prompting the umpire and officials to take action. In response to the concern, the ground staff was promptly summoned, equipped with a shovel and hammer, to address the irregularity in the pitch.
Notably, India’s star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja also joined the efforts, lending a hand by smashing the hammer on the pitch. The unexpected interruption led to a brief pause in the game as efforts were made to flatten the affected surface.
Despite the temporary setback in IND vs SA 2nd Test, the ground staff efficiently resolved the pitch problem, allowing the match to resume after a short delay. The incident highlighted the meticulous nature of pitch maintenance, ensuring a fair and safe playing surface for the ongoing contest at Newlands Cricket Ground.