Jamshedpur: The newly laid pitch at the Keenan Stadium here for the opening One-day game between India and West Indies on Wednesday is an ideal One-day track, having enough for both the bowlers and the batsmen, according to G Kasturirangan, chairman of the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) grounds and pitches committee.

Dispelling doubts about the nature of the re-laid pitch following an altogether different view expressed by some Bihar Ranji Trophy players who had taken part in a trial match on an adjacent wicket, Kasturirangan, after inspecting the pitch, told reporters here on Monday that "it would have enough carry and good bounce. It will behave quite well and 250 runs would be a decent total to defend."

He refuted all statements that said that the wicket may develop cracks at the later stage of the match and claimed that it was a perfect pitch for One-day cricket.

Asked about the possibility of it taking turn in the second session of the match, Kasturirangan refused to predict anything but added that it would help both the bowlers and the batsmen.

Prabir Mukherjee, East Zone representative in the grounds and pitches committee, who was accompanying Kasturirangan, said the track at Keenan was re-laid only in August and added that at least eight months of time was required to prepare a good wicket.

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