BCCI Rejects Bengal's Request To Postpone Ranji Trophy Match Despite Cyclone 'Dana' Threat
Jay Shah and Roger Binny- (Source: @MufaddalVohra/X.com)
In a significant development around the Ranji Trophy 2024-25, the BCCI has rejected a request from the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) to postpone the upcoming match against Kerala due to cyclone 'Dana' threat.
Notably, in the third round of the ongoing Ranji Trophy, Bengal are set to host Kerala on October 26. However, the board requested BCCI to postpone the clash because of the 'Dana' cyclone that will hit West Bengal by October midnight.
Cyclone 'Dana' Likely To Impact Bengal-Kerala Match
Notably, flights and around 200 trains have been suspended in West Bengal, while the authorities have made all necessary preparations to minimise the effects of the upcoming cyclone that will land in Bengal and Odisha.
Meanwhile, the BCCI has denied the request to postpone the match to avoid disrupting the overall Ranji Trophy 2024-25 schedule. While CAB has urged that the match would be affected because of the impact of the cyclone, the board feels that the match is scheduled for October 26, two days after the cyclone made a landing in Bengal.
The cyclonic Storm will hit the land with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting 120 kmph. Further, the Indian Navy is also prepared to tackle the upcoming cyclone.
Bengal's Struggle In Ranji Trophy 2024-25
Talking about Bengal and the upcoming match, Bengal's previous match against Bihar was called off without a ball being bowled because of a wet outfield. Held in Kalyani, was washed out due to a wet outfield, despite clear skies on matchdays. Poor ground management at the venue rendered the match unplayable, frustrating both teams.
For the upcoming match, the CAB has shifted the venue for the Kerala fixture from Kalyani to the Jadavpur University Second Campus ground in Kolkata. Bengal are yet to register a win in the ongoing edition as they drew the first-round match against Uttar Pradesh.