Srinagar: There was a major controversy in Ranji Trophy on Saturday with J&K Cricket Team leveling serious pitch tampering charges against Baroda which delayed start of the days play.
The visiting side accused home side of tampering with the pitch conditions to force an outright result in the match.
As per report, it all happened when J&K coach Ajay Sharma noticed a visible change in the colour of the pitch, and leveled charge, that the pitch had been tampered with. He raised the issue with on-field umpires Pashchim Pathak and Ravi Teja and also with the match referee Arjan Kripal Singh.
Meanwhile, the BCA officials have denied any wrongdoing. “The allegations made by the J&K coach are baseless. The outfield was wet and due to winter there was moisture on the pitch and even the outfield was wet. The umpire too felt the same. Anyone who has played cricket will understand that during winter there is moisture on the pitch and sometimes the outfield takes time to dry,” report quoted BCA officials.
“Sometimes matches are delayed but calling it as pitch-fixed and blaming the association for this, we will not accept these allegations. We will be approaching the BCCI for remarks made by the coach.”
The incident delayed the start of the match, as the game resumed at 10.55 am and the loss of time was accumulated by stretching days play.
As far as the Ranji Trophy Elite Group A points table is concerned, Baroda are in a tricky spot to make it to the next round. Mumbai, after beating Meghalaya are through, and if this match is without a result then J&K go through. For Baroda to go through, they need an outright win here.