Gavaskar termed Kotla pitch 'hair transplant'

Even legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar was confused about how the newly-laid Ferozeshah Kotla track, which he described as a "hair transplant pitch", would behave during Sunday's fifth One-Day International, in Delhi, which was abandoned because of an unfit pitch.

In his pitch report, Gavaskar had pointed out that it would be a tricky strip to bat on and said the batsmen would have to be watchful in the first half-hour.

"It's a hair transplant pitch with bald patches and some patches of grass. Batsmen have to watch out. I am not sure about it. Looks like a batting first pitch. Difficult to predict what it will do," he had said.

The former Test great said it was not safe for batsmen to continue batting on the unfriendly track, which had uneven bounce.

"There were tufts of grass on the pitch. Playing (there) was dangerous and physical safety of the players is important. The ball was rising from the good length, which is quite dangerous. Players like Jeff Thomson had the natural ability to bounce the ball, but here it was a different case," he said, when play was suspended and officials deliberated over the next course of action.

On being reminded that Delhi is one of the venues for the 2011 World Cup, he said, "There is still time for the World Cup and it (pitch) can be worked out."