Kiwis opt to bat after India ODI pitch controversy

Acting secretary Amitabh Choudhary said swift measures were taken after media reports surfaced, claiming that Salgaoncar was seen agreeing to tamper with the pitch to suit the requirements put forth by the reporter in an undercover sting.

The reporters asked Salgaonkar that two players want to bounce on the pitch and if it can be done, to which Salgaonkar replied, "It will be done".

The Board of Control For Cricket India (BCCI) vowed to take "appropriate measures" after the curator at the Pune venue for the second one-day worldwide between India and New Zealand on Wednesday was sacked for alleged malpractice.

Salgaonkar then said that it is going to be a 337-340 wicket - and assured on camera that a score as big as 337 will be chaseable.

Salgaoncar is a former Maharashtra pacer, who played a total of 63 first-class games.

"The International Cricket Council (ICC) Match Referee Mr Chris Broad inspected the pitch ahead of the match and cleared the same for the game to go ahead". He was seen telling the reporters that the pitch would be prepared according to their wishes. Following the first India-Australia Test held on the same pitch, earlier this year where Australia thrashed India by 333 runs, the pitch was rated poor by the ICC.

Khanna also said that he has already written to Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) chief Abhay Apte on the issue.

The MCA has suspended Salgaonkar with immediate effect with the BCCI appointing curator Ramesh Mhamunkar as the point person for the centre wicket and the field of play for the second ODI between India and New Zealand. In the first match, India were defeated by the visitors by six wickets in Mumbai.

"We will look into the matter". I do not have first-hand reaction yet but there should be an enquiry.

It added it had "zero tolerance towards any such activity".