An Elite Group A Ranji Trophy match between Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and Baroda was marred by a major controversy at the Reliance Stadium in Vadodara. J&K have charged that the pitch has been tampered with and there has been a delay in play on the third day. Baroda has firmly dismissed them.
Pitch Tampering Allegations of J&K
The controversy broke out on Saturday, when J&K’s head coach Ajay Sharma felt a change in the color and texture of the pitch as compared to the first two days. According to reports, he pointed out that the surface had changed unexpectedly, which caused concern that the host team might have changed it to their advantage.
The J&K team lodged their official complaint with the match officials and then the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) believing that the conditions set in the pitch were intended to be so. The protesting created delay on Day 3 of the match.
Baroda strongly rejects the allegations
The Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) dismissed the allegations as “baseless” by J&K. A senior BCA official, defending the pitch condition, stated that the changes were due to weather conditions rather than tampering.
“The outfield was wet because of the winter season, and there was moisture on the pitch. Even the umpires acknowledged that this was a natural phenomenon. Anyone who understands cricket knows that winter conditions can lead to dampness on the surface and delay in drying. It is unfair to blame the association or accuse us of pitch tampering,” said the official.
Baroda has threatened to take this matter to BCCI also claiming that such remarks bring unnecessary negativism in the game.
The Match Scenario: A Nail-Biting Affair
But the match still holds a lot of significance for both teams in the following terms:
J&K have given a target of 365 runs to Baroda.
A victory for J&K will elevate them to the top of the Elite Group A and will propel them to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Baroda need a win for themselves to survive in the fight for the quarterfinals of the knockout.
The match will be of tremendous importance for both teams, with the pitch controversy only adding more drama to make it one of the most debated games in this Ranji Trophy season.
After a formal complaint, the BCCI may pursue further investigation for allegations of improper pitching. With a report given by the match referee and an umpire as well, any additional action from here will now be decided after taking into serious consideration their feedbacks.
The last day of the match will prove to be the most crucial, when there is a serious contest on the field as well as off-field developments. All eyes will on the outcome from cricketing results as well as on disciplinary actions and clarifications by the BCCI.