Bizarre: Vehicles Drive Past Sightscreen During Chandigarh-Mizoram Ranji Trophy Game

Updated - 15 Apr 2024, 05:46 PM

Ranji Trophy, Sightscreen, Chandigarh
Google Image

In the first incident of its kind, a Ranji Trophy game in Chandigarh saw cars driving past the sight screen as the game was being played. Despite the match being a first-class one, there was clear ignorance towards rules by set by match referees.

The incident happened at the Mahajan Cricket Ground (MCG) in Chandigarh, during the business end of the match between the hosts and Mizoram.

Two cars entered the road separating the sight-screen and the boundary ropes as official ball boys can be seen sitting in close vicinity.

Ranji Trophy, Chandigarh, Mahajan Cricket Ground
Chandigarh (Photo source: The Indian Express)

The narrow road between boundary ropes and sight-screen is actually the only link to the parking behind.

Initially, guards at the stopped the two vehicles but they were later allowed to enter on orders from the Union Territory Cricket Association (UTCA), Chandigarh cricket’s governing body.

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I am not aware of the matter yet: UTCA secretary Desh Deepak Khanna

Normally, Chandigarh plays their home games at the Sector 16 stadium, however, maintenance work is currently due there, which is why Mahajan Cricket stadium was used for the Ranji Trophy game.

The ground is located in the premises of a farmhouse, nearby the house of former Indian athlete Milkha Singh.

When UTCA secretary Desh Deepak Khanna was asked about the incident, he initially said he was not aware of it, but later gave explanations for the same.

He said, “I am not aware of the matter yet. It’s a new ground and the vehicles must be carrying some important material required during the conduct of the match. Since the mud track is the only way to parking and dressing room, the cars must have crossed the road to reach the parking,” as quoted by The Indian Express.

“Sector 16 Stadium has hosted four matches and the ground and pitches need time to be in right shape after conducting the matches. Hence it was decided to conduct the match at Mahajan Cricket ground,” he added.

In the past, the Mahajan Cricket Ground has hosted a couple of Col CK Nayudu Trophy and Vijay Merchant Trophy matches but the Ranji Trophy game between Chandigarh and Mizoram was its debut first-class fixture.

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