Daljit Singh, who is a former first-class cricketer, stepped down from his post as BCCI Chief Curator after 22 years. The Punjabi has been BCCI’s go-to man as far as Indian pitches are concerned. Daljit Singh will remain the head of the Punjab Cricket Association pitch committee. His last match in his current role was the second match of the T20 series between India and South Africa at the IS Bindra Stadium, In Mohali on Wednesday. Groundstaff are now no longer regarded as 'lawn mowers' but are given due respect for the role they play.

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Daljit Singh’s appointment to the BCCI Pitch Committee in 1997

Former PCA president Inderjit Singh Bindra had given Daljit Singh the responsibility to produce the fastest pitch in India at Mohali back in 1993. After a gap of four years, Daljit Singh was included in BCCI's first pitch committee in 1997. A total of 100 curators are working under the BCCI all across the country. Daljit Singh agreed that curators have been treated with more respect in the last five years as compared to before.

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Daljit Singh’s opinion on the treatment of Indian curators

"Needless to say Indian cricket has come a long way including the job of a curator. Back in the day groundsmen were merely seen as maalis (gardeners) who didn't even get paid but now we have a system in place which produces certified curators (since 2012).”

"Like umpires, curators are also posted now. It is a big number. I leave behind a settled system. The credit must go to the board also. BCCI in many ways was a trend-setter, it gave us the best possible resources to prepare good pitches. The likes of Bindra, Jagmohan Dalmiya and Sharad Pawar listened to us," Singh said in an interview to PTI.

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