Kochi ODI shifted to Trivandrum after widespread protests

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has shifted the ODI between India and West Indies to Trivandrum after several groups of people began a #SaveKochiTurf campaign on social media. Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) wanted Kochi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN) to host the India-West Indies game, but since the turf at the stadium was refurbished only last year in order to host FIFA U17 World Cup, many feared it would get spoiled if cricket is played on it.

Kochi is one of the six grounds approved by FIFA. It hosted a few U17 World Cup games and is also the home stadium of Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League (ISL). BCCI’s decision to let them host an international game of cricket turned into a massive outrage. Kerala Blasters’ striker CK Vineeth was one of the first ones to protest.

In his tweet, he wrote, “Over the course of this week, I have read various reports that the turf at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium will be dug up to help facilitate the ODI cricket match between India and West Indies. For many different reasons, I feel this is wrong.”

In an interview I gave to a friend a few years ago, I spoke of how in my childhood, I played football on a ground where there were three or four cricket matches happening at the same time. I would dribble past a defender, and then maybe a batsman before going towards goal.

— CK Vineeth (@ckvineeth) March 19, 2018

I believe that for sport to co-exist, it is important that they do not stop each other from growing. As a nation, we are fighting for success and to become better on so many fronts and a lot of time, effort and money has gone into the football pitch at the JN Stadium.

— CK Vineeth (@ckvineeth) March 19, 2018

The JN Stadium is one of only six in India that are FIFA approved,a certification that will take immense effort to obtain again. When India has been known for being a 'cricket crazy' nation, is it really necessary to dig up a football pitch to play a cricket match? #SaveKochiTurf

— CK Vineeth (@ckvineeth) March 19, 2018

From footballers to cricketers, tweets followed 

Later Indian football captain Sunil Chhetri also joined the bandwagon and wrote, “We football fans in India have small joys and reasons to be happy about. A proper football pitch is one of them.”

We football fans in India have small joys and reasons to be happy about. A proper football pitch is one of them. Let's not snatch that away, even if it's for a little while.#SaveKochiTurf

— Sunil Chhetri (@chetrisunil11) March 20, 2018

Soon after followed Sachin Tendulkar’s series of tweets, in which he expressed his concern over the matter.

“Worried about the potential damage to the FIFA approved World class Football turf in Kochi. Urge the KCA to take the right decision where cricket (Thiruvananthapuram) and Football (Kochi) can happily coexist,” read the initial tweet.

“Urged Shri. Vinod Rai who has promised to look into the matter. Hoping that neither the cricket nor the football fans are disappointed,” Tendulkar wrote in his second tweet.

Worried about the potential damage to the FIFA approved World class Football turf in Kochi. Urge the KCA to take the right decision where cricket (Thiruvananthapuram) and Football (Kochi) can happily coexist. pic.twitter.com/rs5eZmhFDP

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 20, 2018

Urged Shri. Vinod Rai who has promised to look into the matter. Hoping that neither the cricket nor the football fans are disappointed. @BCCI @KCAcricket

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 20, 2018

West Indies’ tour of India will also involve India’s first ever day-night Test, which is likely to be played in Rajkot or Hyderabad.

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