The Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla has jumped in protection of the Inexperienced Park Stadium in Kanpur amid heavy criticism over the poor services on the venue.
India Nationwide Cricket Workforce are at the moment taking over the Bangladesh Nationwide Cricket Workforce on the Inexperienced Park Stadium. On day 1, solely 35 overs of play have been doable resulting from rain, moist outfield, and dangerous gentle.
In the meantime, issues received worse on day 2 as all the day was washed out because of the rain within the metropolis. Day 3 was even worse as regardless of no rain throughout the scheduled hours of play, the groups have been unable to start out the proceedings because of the moist outfield.
A number of inspections have been made by the match officers, however after a prolonged delay, the choice was made to name off day 3 as effectively. This did not sit effectively with many followers and specialists, who lashed out on the Board of Management for Cricket in India for giving a Check match to Inexperienced Park Stadium regardless of the drainage services of the venue not being excellent.
Nonetheless, Rajeev Shukla has defended the Inexperienced Park Stadium as a Check venue, saying that Kanpur is among the many authentic six Check facilities of BCCI, they usually wished it to host an enormous sport.
“Effectively, criticism is one factor which we’re used to within the administration of the BCCI in cricket. However all the pieces is being criticised,” Shukla mentioned on Monday whereas talking to reporters, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.
“When we’re not giving matches to Kanpur as a result of [of certain reasons], then additionally I used to be being criticised. Now we’re giving the match and I’m nonetheless being criticised why it has been given to Kanpur. In order that goes on.
“You already know the issue is that this floor is round 80 years previous. It’s our heritage floor. When you keep in mind it was once a everlasting Check centre. The unique six everlasting Check centres have been Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Kanpur. This can be a everlasting centre. So the entire concept was to have Check matches right here. That is the primary time in 80 years that it rained a lot that we weren’t in a position to host the match for 2 days,” Rajeev Shukla added.
The historical past means that no match has been deserted right here in Kanpur – Rajeev Shukla
Rajeev Shukla additional mentioned that the Kanpur stadium is among the oldest within the nation, and when it was being constructed, the suitable applied sciences have been unavailable, which is why the services usually are not up to speed at Inexperienced Park. He additionally admitted that there’s a want for upgradation of services on the venue.
“The historical past means that no match has been deserted right here in Kanpur. There are lots of venues on this planet the place due to the rains, matches have been deserted. So right here if for 2 days the match could not happen, I do not assume there needs to be an excessive amount of hue and cry,” Shukla mentioned.
“When this floor was being constructed, and the stadium was being constructed, then these applied sciences weren’t accessible. Now applied sciences can be found. Like in our Lucknow stadium, now we have received that expertise. And in Varanasi, we’re constructing one other stadium. There now we have received high-tech, trendy expertise to remove the rainwater.
“Right here additionally we’re planning. At the moment I had a dialogue with administration about how we are able to develop this method by which the rainwater can instantly be [drained],” Rajeev Shukla mentioned.
Rajeev Shukla additional revealed that he already had discussions with the federal government officers associated to the stadium, and they’re on the identical web page that the enhancements are wanted.
“The second I got here right here, I had an extended dialogue with authorities officers as a result of this stadium belongs to the federal government. We’re in settlement with them,” Rajeev Shukla mentioned.
“So, now for that, the bottom needs to be dug, new expertise needs to be utilized and all the pieces needs to be achieved. So, instantly after coming right here, I had a dialogue with the authorities and they’re additionally on the identical web page and I feel we will enhance the circumstances right here shortly.
“Typically it occurs, although all of us pray to [the rain god] Lord Indra, to not rain, however, you already know, it occurs. And it occurs all through the world. So, why unnecessarily Kanpur and Inexperienced Park is being blamed for one thing which is in nature’s arms?”
