As Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is still in the catch-22 situation over shifting IPl matches out of Maharashtra, its affiliate in Jharkhand is also maintaining silence over hosting some of those. Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) is still awaiting official stand of the BCCI on the issue.
“We have no information (about Ranchi getting allocated some of the IPl matches). There is nothing at present,” was the brief answer of JSCA chairperson Amitabh Choudhary, who is also Honorary Joint Secretary of the BCCI, when his reaction was sought.
Inputs coming in though indicate that considering the Bombay High Court’s Wednesday order putting ban on all the Indian Premier league matches scheduled to be played in Maharashtra after April 30 in the drought-hit western State, Ranchi’s JSCA stadium may get couple of those. The order, if implemented, will affect 13 matches altogether in Mumbai and Pune venues. This also includes the final that was to be held in Mumbai on May 29.
Moreover, it is not clear whether the BCCI would knock doors of the Supreme Court against the High Court’s verdict. The expectation apart, whether Ranchi, also facing severe water crisis these days, is ready to host the rescheduled matchesIJ When asked, Choudhary bluntly said, “no comments.”
The reply is quite obvious looking at the condition of the JSCA stadium at Dhurwa. large part of the ground is without sufficient grass cover and dry patches are all around. Management staffs of the stadium blame poor supply of water needed to keep the ground lush green.
“The problem of water scarcity is there but if given responsibility the ground can be brought to play-like condition. We have one tubewell working and talks with RMC for alternate supply of water source are also on,” said an office bearer of the JSCA.