The ball that struck him unexpectedly rose from a length on a pitch that offered significant uneven bounce. Rishabh Pant was also hit on his left elbow during his unbeaten 36. A senior BCCI source told PTI under anonymity that Rohit’s injury isn’t serious, noting that it’s just a bit sore and he should be fine for the Pakistan game, with two practice sessions remaining before the match.

“Trying to sell the game in the states is great.. love it.. but for players to have to play on this sub-standard surface in New York is unacceptable… You work so hard to make it to the WC then have to play on this,” he wrote on his X handle.

Beyond the injury concerns, the pitch, a drop-in one brought from Adelaide specifically for the World Cup, has drawn criticism. India is set to play two more games at this stadium.

Irfan Pathan, the Player of the Final from India’s 2007 T20 World Cup victory, openly criticized the pitch, calling it unsafe. Rohit was perplexed by the pitch’s behavior and admitted uncertainty about what to expect against Pakistan. The team’s batting coach, Vikram Rathour, was more reserved in his comments.

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