Ranji Trophy 2016-17: Delhi smog prompts BCCI to reschedule ties

The BCCI has now planned to reschedule the Ranji Trophy 2016-17 games, currently scheduled at Delhi, at a later time, rather than abandoning the matches completely.

The alarming situation of Delhi pollution, consumed by thick smog has indeed thrown life out of hands in Delhi, as it’s not just the people, but the game of cricket that has suffered extensively as well, as the ongoing couple of Ranji Trophy 2016-17 games between Gujarat vs Bengal at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, and Hyderabad vs Tripura at the Karnail Singh Stadium, have been called off, following the inability to start the games on the opening couple of days. The BCCI has now planned to reschedule these games, currently scheduled at Delhi, at a later time, rather than abandoning the matches completely and forcing the teams to share a point each. FULL Cricket Score Ranji Trophy 2016-17, Day 2, Round 5

“The teams were informed around 3.15 in the afternoon that the match was called off. Our eyes were burning. Some of the guys had headaches. Pollution was at the highest level. This is the first time in my cricketing life I have come across such a scenario. We have not got any directives from the BCCI whether teams will share points or the match might be rescheduled,” the Bengal coach Sairaj Bahutule was quoted saying by espncricinfo.com. “We could not even stand outside as our eyes started burning. It was impossible to run in or do anything,” said Hyderabad coach Bharat Arun. Ranji Trophy 2016-17 Points Table & team standings

Meanwhile Bengal skipper Manoj Tiwary added, “Yesterday, in the afternoon, when light improved, we went out to toss. But the dust and pollution was so bad that our eyes started to water. In consultation with both captains, it was decided that we’ll call off play. But today, when the same situation persisted, the match referees decided it was unsafe to even attempt to play. It was called off a little after 3pm. We’ve played a lot of cricket in the north, especially Delhi, in winter months in the past. But I haven’t seen anything like this.”

“The board is working towards rescheduling the game, although I’m not sure how that will be feasible at this stage. We played our first game only in the second round, so it’s now a challenge to fit the game in. But we’ve been told this won’t count as a match, neither will points be split,” Tiwary concluded.

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