The India Cricket Board on Tuesday revoked its decision to reschedule Bengal’s cancelled November 7-10 Ranji Trophy match against Gujarat, after objection from the Mumbai Cricket Association and Tamil Nadu Cricket Association.
The game now stands cancelled with each team being awarded a point each, PTI reported. MCA and TNCA took up the matter citing it as an “unfair advantage” for the two teams, the report stated.
The decision means Bengal with 18 points from seven matches have a mountain to climb if they hope to make the knock-out stage. They play their last group league encounter against Madhya Pradesh needing a win with a bonus point to advance.
Gujarat stand strong with 25 points from seven games and are in a more favourable position to qualify.
Bengal’s encounter against Gujarat in New Delhi was hampered due to smog. Not a single ball was bowled after two days. The game was subsequently called off and rescheduled to December 15-18 in Visakhapatnam.
Ganguly miffed
Meanwhile, Cricket Association of Bengal president Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday said that he will take up the issue with BCCI president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke, a report by PTI said.
PTI cited sources as saying that a formal letter will be sent to the BCCI over the revocation of match.
“I am aware of the situation. I will be taking up this issue at the appropriate forum with president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke,” Ganguly told PTI.
“I have told the boys that they should just focus on the match and not think about anything else. Their goal should be to win the match,” he added.