Ranji Trophy 2024-25: ‘Pitch tampering’ controversy delays start of third day of Baroda vs J&K

Ranji Trophy 2024-25: ‘Pitch tampering’ controversy delays start of third day of Baroda vs J&K

Controversy erupted on Saturday ahead of the third day’s play between Baroda and Jammu and Kashmir at the Reliance Stadium in Vadodara as the latter lodged a formal complaint to the match officials alleging the pitch was tampered with.

While the Baroda Cricket Association officials firmly refused the allegations and claimed that it would take up the matter with the Board of Control for Cricket in India, the Jammu and Kashmir coach Ajay Sharma thought the colour of the pitch had changed, which according to the team management, was ‘quite unexpected on the third day’ of a Ranji Trophy fixture.

“When the J&K team reached the ground, they alleged that near the good length area, there was quite a bit of damp patch, where the colour of the pitch had changed. They immediately alerted the umpires – Paschim Pathak and Ravi Teja, before informing match referee Arjan Kripal Singh.

This also delayed the start of the game, which was being streamed live. After much deliberation, the match officials resumed the game at 10:55 am. While Sharma wasn’t available for a comment, the BCA officials told Sportstar that the outfield was wet and due to winter there was moisture on the pitch. “That’s why even the outfield was wet. Even the umpires felt the same and that’s why they resumed the game,” the official said.