Rahul Dravid explains why New York stadium poses injury threat to Indian team players

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Rahul Dravid has talked about the injury threat Indian team players were coping at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. The comment from the head coach came after India's 60-run win over Bangladesh in T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up game at the venue on Saturday, June 1.

He reckoned that the surface at the newly-built facility was soft and 'spungy' and there were chances of hamstring injury. Dravid added that the coaching staff and the players were paying special focus to avoid any such injury threats.

"It's great to get a good hit out. Obviously, it looks like a good facility in terms of as quickly as they have put up. the ground is a bit soft the guys could feel that on the hamstring and the calves. So that's the area we need to ensure that we are working around and ensuring that the guys are looking after does feel a little bit heavy underneath," Dravid said in a video posted by the BCCI.

"A little bit spungy at times but I thought we coped really well, we managed that really well. The batters had put an above-par score on that wicket and the bowlers came out and bowled really well. All and all we got run-around and to get a game here is really nice. hopefully we can prepare well for the next couple of days and be ready," he added.

India pacer Arshdeep Singh, who picked two wickets in the warm-up fixture, said that it would be a challenge to adapt to the sand-based ground. He added that the practice session just ahead of the match also helped the team on the field.

"Feels good, really important how you start. We got wickets early on and did not give away runs. The wicket was helping us as well, so we tried to keep it simple and got the result as well. The ground is sand-based, so you need to get the rhythm right. It will be a challenge to adapt to the conditions here.

"We are adapting really well because the practice sessions were also there in the morning and everyone turned up and did their 100% there, that we can see on the field as well, the way we played as a team, and it was a nice result," Arshdeep said.

Hard-hitting all-rounder Shivam Dube called the experience of playing in New York a 'different experience'. He said the practice game against Bangladesh helped the team get used to the bowling and batting conditions at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium.

"It was fun playing here, and it was good to have a win in our first warm up game. Obviously, it's well-built. But there is a challenge for the players. It's not easy. The warm-up match is important for us to be ready once the T20 World Cup starts. So it was important to get used to the batting, bowling and fielding and hence, we got a good idea after playing today and it was a different experience," Dube said.

India will play their first three matches at the venue. They will kick off their campaign against Ireland on June 5, and then face Pakistan on June 9 and USA on June 12 in New York.