Cars drive past sight screen during Ranji Trophy game in Chandigarh

Despite the match referee setting up guidelines, the Ranji Trophy encounter between Chandigarh and Mizoram at the Mahajan Cricket Ground or “MCG” witnessed a clear flouting of the rules. It was near the business end on Day 1 of the game that two cars were seen passing over the kutcha road between the boundary rope and the sight screen with the official ball boys seated very close.

Guards deployed at the entry gate stopped the two vehicles but they were allowed later by the officials of the Union Territory Cricket Association (UTCA), the governing body of Chandigarh cricket. The cars then drove towards the parking lot behind the pavilion.

Chandigarh, who are sitting pretty with 29 points from seven games in the Plate Group, played their previous home games at the Sector 16 Stadium but the game against Mizoram was shifted to “MCG” to take care of the Sector 16 wicket. In the past, the Mahajan Cricket Ground has hosted a couple of matches in the Col CK Nayudu Trophy and one in the Vijay Merchant Trophy.

The current Chandigarh-Mizoram clash is the maiden first-class one at this venue. The ground is located inside a farmhouse and not too far from the residence of former athlete Milkha Singh. The narrow muddy road that separates the boundary ropes from the sight screen is the only link to reach the parking place.

“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,” UTCA Secretary Desh Deepak Khanna was quoted as saying 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.

Chandigarh take a mammoth lead over Mizoram

In the game, the home team was in the driver’s seat after it bundled out Mizoram for a paltry 109 on Day 1 itself after the visitors won the toss and elected to bat. Chandigarh ended the day on 193 for 3 and piled on the scoring to declare at a mammoth score of 587 for 5 to take a lead of 478 runs. Wicketkeeper-batsman Uday Kaul was batting on 212 while Raman Bishnoi made 139 and Ankit Kaushik 177. With only 12 points from seven games, Mizoram are already out of contention for the knockout stage.