Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra has shed light on playing conditions in the Asian Games. Chopra reckons the pitch prepared at the newly built venues could be dangerous for the players.

The Asian Games will be hosted by Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from September 19 to October 4. India’s men’s and women’s selectors have named full-strength teams for the continental games.

“There is a different uproar going on about the Asian Games. We saw it last time as well. Whether it’s in China or Japan, these countries have all kinds of top-quality infrastructure, but not for cricket. They also wake up late for cricket. By the time they wake up, they realize that making it is a very difficult job,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“They have tried, but we saw last time as well that if a top-flight bowler bowls fast, the pitches aren’t ready at all. They are actually dangerous to play. You feel the safety of your own players is on the line. They prepare the ground but are unable to prepare the square, and no cricket would have been played on it. You shouldn’t be surprised at all if it becomes dangerous,” he added.

The renowned commentator also highlighted that accommodation facilities might not be to cricketers’ liking.

“The second problem is that there probably isn’t enough realization that cricket is a different kind of sport. The facilities that are required just to perform at the highest level aren’t ready at all. They say they can’t provide hotels, two people will stay in a room, and that they are using cruise ships or converted containers as hotels. This is not how cricket actually happens,” he said.

“The second problem is that there probably isn’t enough realization that cricket is a different kind of sport. The facilities that are required just to perform at the highest level aren’t ready at all. They say they can’t provide hotels, two people will stay in a room, and that they are using cruise ships or converted containers as hotels. This is not how cricket actually happens,” he said.

Japan Cricket Association recently said that teams can make their own hotel arrangements.