Published: Jan 29, 2016, 04:29 PM (IST)
Edited: Jan 29, 2016, 04:29 PM (IST)
Ranchi will play host to the second T20 International (T20I) between India and Sri Lanka in February 2016. The three-match T20I series is scheduled to begin from February 9, with the first match being played at Pune. The second match was to be held in Delhi on February 12, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) were told by the Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) that they will not host the match. The third and final match will be played at Vishakapatnam. After the Delhi High Court refused to direct the Municipal Corporation of Delhi to provide them with Provisional Occupancy Certificate (POC), there was little chance for the controversial faction-ridden association to host the slated match. READ: Dilhara Fernando returns to Sri Lanka squad for first time since 2012 for upcoming T20I series
BCCI in a media release announced,” he Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday announced that the venue of the second Twenty20 International match of the three-match home series against Sri Lanka has been shifted from Delhi to Ranchi. The revised itinerary is as under:
1st T20I (Feb 9 at Pune), 2nd T20I (Feb 12 at Ranchi) and 3rd T20I (Feb 14 at Visakhapatnam)” READ: India vs Sri Lanka 2015-16: Visakhapatnam set to host T20I match on February 14
“We have informed the BCCI today that we will not be able to get the clearance from MCD in time after complying to norms. We told the BCCI officials that we will have all the compliance certificates ready for World T20 but it will not be possible to get clearance before February 12 and then get clearances from state’s fire and electrical department,” DDCA working president Chetan Chauhan told PTI on Friday.
Asked if the High Court observation turned out to be an embarrassment for the association which is neck-deep in financial scandals, Chauhan said: “We had to take a chance and that is why we moved High Court. Had we not done that, we would have been criticised for letting the match go.
“At least we tried to organise but in such short time, we would not be able to complete the required 60-point deviations that the MCD has cited. But rest assured we will be ready for the World Cup.” Chauhan also denied knowledge that DDCA official Manjeet Singh, who was a part of the Tours and Fixtures Committee meeting of the BCCI, misinformed secretary Anurag Thakur about having all the compliance certificates. READ: Ishant Sharma not dwelling on flare-ups in Sri Lanka that led to one-match ban
“I know he [Manjeet] said DDCA is ready but I do not think he mentioned about having the compliance certificates. If he has said so and it is there in the BCCI minutes of the meeting, we will surely pull him up,” the former Test opener said.
(With inputs from PTI)
