BCCI vp Rajeev Shukla on Monday put up a stout defence of Kanpur as a Take a look at centre, saying the venue cannot be denied the prospect to host lengthy format matches as it’s set to endure an improve to enhance its infrastructure. Persistent rain has performed havoc with the second Take a look at between India and Bangladesh on the Inexperienced Park as two full days of play have been washed out with no ball being bowled. The stadium has an outdated drainage system and three tremendous soppers have been used to dry the bottom after rain. On Sunday, it didn’t rain a lot and the solar additionally got here out for a short interval however the moist outfield didn’t enable play to start. Solely 35 overs may very well be bowled throughout the primary three days of the Take a look at.
“Effectively criticism is one factor which we’re used to being in administration of BCCI in cricket. However every little thing is being criticized. After we weren’t giving matches to Kanpur then additionally I used to be being criticised. Now we’re giving the match and I’m being criticized… why it has been given to Kanpur,” Shukla mentioned.
He mentioned they cannot management climate and by no means earlier than a match has been deserted at this centre.
“This floor is round 80 years outdated. It’s our heritage floor. When you bear in mind it was a everlasting Take a look at centre. So the entire concept was to have Take a look at matches right here.
“That is for the primary time in 80 years that it has rained a lot that we weren’t capable of host the match for 2 days. However the historical past means that no match has been deserted right here. There are various venues on the earth the place due to rain, matches have been deserted.
“I do not assume there needs to be a hue and cry as a result of when this floor was being constructed, stadium was being constructed, then these applied sciences weren’t out there. Now applied sciences can be found.
“Like in our Lucknow stadium, we’ve got obtained that expertise. And in Varanasi, we’re constructing one other stadium. There we’ve got obtained high-tech, trendy expertise to remove the water. Right here additionally we’re planning.” Again in 2019, star batter Virat Kohli had proposed that Take a look at cricket needs to be performed solely at 5 main centres. Prime cricketing nations like Australia and England even have everlasting centres.
Requested if he helps the thought? Shukla mentioned India have 5 main centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Beglauru, Chennai and Kanpur.
“Kanpur was additionally certainly one of them. So, it is a everlasting Take a look at centre. Then we’ve got to maintain different features additionally in thoughts. Second is our rotation coverage. So, we’ve got to go by the rotation coverage.
“And three, India has now obtained rather a lot many venues. We’ve got obtained most variety of venues which Australia and different nations do not have. And we’ve got to supply alternative to all of them.” Shukla mentioned smaller centres with infrastructure ought to host Assessments to maintain the followers within the recreation in these cities.
“The variety of spectators that goes down in these cities, as a result of persons are used to watching, you recognize, these T20 and one-day cricket, all that. So, that is why we had, you recognize, this concept was floated that in B-grade cities, the place we’ve got obtained infrastructure, we should always organise Take a look at matches.
“Have a look at right here, it is nearly packed. And throughout the rains additionally final two days, lot many individuals turned as much as watch the match. Meaning there may be urge for food. Persons are keen to look at cricket. So, that is why we’re maintaining all these issues in thoughts.”
IPL public sale in India or overseas
Shukla hinted that the BCCI could conduct the upcoming IPL public sale overseas just like the final time.
“We’re considering with each the choices. It might be overseas additionally. Final time we had in Dubai. And it went very efficiently. The entire concept is to take some factor of cricket abroad additionally. So, abroad cricket followers additionally get attracted.
“They usually affiliate themselves with the cricket. So, that is the essential concept. If we won’t have matches there, not less than we should always organise such occasions there. Retaining that in thoughts, all of the choices are open.”
(Aside from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
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