Indian Cricket Team Loses To Its Own Practice Machine; Board Launches Inquiry
The bowling machine, nicknamed 'Suresh' by players, took 6 wickets and reportedly appealed twice.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India announced a formal three-member inquiry on Friday after the Indian senior men's cricket team was defeated in a full practice match by an automated bowling machine during a training camp in Ahmedabad. The machine, a Merlin HP3 model affectionately named 'Suresh' by the squad after its serial number, bowled 18 overs of disciplined medium pace, took 6 wickets for 34 runs, and — according to the log file reviewed by ESPNcricketinfo — appealed twice for LBW by triggering an audible beep. The BCCI's statement noted that the result was 'not a reflection of the team's readiness' and stressed that the machine had 'home conditions advantage.'