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Duleep Trophy 2017: Suresh Raina Slams UPCA After Match Washout

By Prince

Updated - 19 May 2019, 04:28 PM

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Suresh Raina has slammed Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UOCA) after India Green’s Duleep Trophy-opener against India Red ended in a tame draw. The game was looking set to end in a exciting way before the game was called off.

In reply to India Red’s first inning total of 383, India Blue posted a massive 444 before reducing the Dinesh Karthik-led side to 133 for five in the second innings.  However, any chance of earning six points soon disappeared after the umpires bizarrely called off the game, much to the frustration of Raina who did not refrain from taking a shot at the state association. Raina thought his team would have surely sealed the six points had the match not been called off.
 
“We dominated for all four days,” Raina said after the match. “Had we got to play yesterday, it would’ve been six points for sure.”
The on-field umpires Navdeep Singh and Yashwant Barde inspected the ground five hours after the last shower. And although it nothing more than a light drizzle they did not hesitate in calling off the game as they declared the ground unfit for play to resume.
Frustrated with the unfortunate turn of events, Raina not only severely criticised the association but particularly targetted CEO Deepak Sharma.

 

“I’m happy with the way we played and took the first innings lead. Especially, after yesterday, when it rained, and we had only half an hour (of play possible). This (three points) is very important for us. We feel, had we played yesterday, things could’ve been different,” he said.

“Whatever happened, for the lack of facilities or the lack of initiative by the UPCA CEO, he (Deepak Sharma) has to take the initiative and give us a proper channel. You can’t just say something and expect something. They have to be very professional from their side as well. We’re here to play Duleep Trophy, and Duleep Trophy has been a very important tournament for so many years. It’s important to take this seriously. We didn’t have a proper game, that was the sad part,” he added.

Raina further praised the umpires and the groundsmen for working relentlessly but launched a scathing attack towards the CEO once again.

“We could have won outright,” Raina added. “We could have sat nicely with six points. We bowled really well; we got five wickets (in the second innings). (Yesterday) They said there was an issue with the cover and didn’t take the responsibility. That guy (Deepak) came late. Till then, I spoke to few of the groundsmen; they worked really hard. Credit goes to the umpires for trying to make some game possible. It’s something that he (Deepak) has to take seriously. Otherwise, there’s no point hosting.”

Raina also said that the Test status of Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium can be in danger it the association makes these mistakes.

“We held games in Noida. There was a game in Lucknow as well. Kanpur is the oldest Test ground (in Uttar Pradesh). You can’t make such mistakes and lose the charm of Test cricket here. So many UP guys have played on this ground. I have got so much from here. But if you make such mistakes, it could all be gone.”

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