'Why blame for something that is in nature's hands?': Rajeev Shukla blasts Kanpur venue critics

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice-president Rajeev Shukla has jumped in defense of the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur amid heavy criticism over the poor facilities at the venue.

India National Cricket Team are currently taking on the Bangladesh National Cricket Team at the Green Park Stadium. On day 1, only 35 overs of play were possible due to rain, wet outfield, and bad light.

Meanwhile, things got worse on day 2 as the entire day was washed out due to the rain in the city. Day 3 was even worse as despite no rain during the scheduled hours of play, the teams were unable to start the proceedings due to the wet outfield.

Several inspections were made by the match officials, but after a lengthy delay, the decision was made to call off day 3 as well. This didn't sit well with many fans and experts, who lashed out at the Board of Control for Cricket in India for giving a Test match to Green Park Stadium despite the drainage facilities of the venue not being very good.

However, Rajeev Shukla has defended the Green Park Stadium as a Test venue, saying that Kanpur is among the original six Test centers of BCCI, and they wanted it to host a big game.

"Well, criticism is one thing which we are used to in the administration of the BCCI in cricket. But everything is being criticised," Shukla said on Monday while speaking to reporters, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

"When we are not giving matches to Kanpur because [of certain reasons], then also I was being criticised. Now we are giving the match and I am still being criticised why it has been given to Kanpur. So that goes on.

"You know the problem is that this ground is around 80 years old. It is our heritage ground. If you remember it used to be a permanent Test centre. The original six permanent Test centres were Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Kanpur. This is a permanent centre. So the whole idea was to have Test matches here. This is the first time in 80 years that it rained so much that we were not able to host the match for two days," Rajeev Shukla added.

The history suggests that no match has been abandoned here in Kanpur - Rajeev Shukla

Rajeev Shukla further said that the Kanpur stadium is one of the oldest in the country, and when it was being built, the appropriate technologies were unavailable, which is why the facilities are not up to the mark at Green Park. He also admitted that there is a need for upgradation of facilities at the venue.

"The history suggests that no match has been abandoned here in Kanpur. There are many venues in the world where because of the rains, matches have been abandoned. So here if for two days the match couldn't take place, I don't think there should be too much hue and cry," Shukla said.

"When this ground was being built, and the stadium was being built, then those technologies were not available. Now technologies are available. Like in our Lucknow stadium, we have got that technology. And in Varanasi, we are building another stadium. There we have got high-tech, modern technology to take away the rainwater.

"Here also we are planning. Today I had a discussion with administration about how we can develop this system by which the rainwater can immediately be [drained]," Rajeev Shukla said.

Rajeev Shukla further revealed that he already had discussions with the government officials related to the stadium, and they are on the same page that the improvements are needed.

"The moment I came here, I had a long discussion with government officials because this stadium belongs to the government. We are in agreement with them," Rajeev Shukla said.

"So, now for that, the ground has to be dug, new technology has to be applied and everything has to be done. So, immediately after coming here, I had a discussion with the authorities and they are also on the same page and I think we will be able to improve the conditions here shortly.

"Sometimes it happens, though we all pray to [the rain god] Lord Indra, not to rain, but, you know, it happens. And it happens throughout the world. So, why unnecessarily Kanpur and Green Park is being blamed for something which is in nature's hands?"