The 2019-20 edition of the Ranji Trophy is in full force with the Round-03 First-Class fixtures commencing across the length and breadth of the country from December 25th. After having already won their opening encounter against Kerala by a comprehensive margin of eight wickets, a vibrant Bengal unit, determined to do an encore at their home venue, squared off against Andhra at the iconic Eden Gardens on Wednesday.
However, a major controversy erupted when former Bengal captain and the current national selector from East-Zone Devang Gandhi was ejected from the home side’s dressing room for unauthorized entry by a Board of Control for Cricket in India [BCCI] Anti-Corruption official during day 02 of the ongoing fixture. According to the Anti-Corruption protocol laid by the country’s apex-cricketing body, only support-staff and team players can be present in the dressing room during a match.
And, the issue came to light when senior Bengal cricketers including Manoj Tiwary raised the question about the already mentioned Anti-Corruption protocol. “We have to follow what is contained in the anti-corruption protocol. A national selector cannot get in the dressing room without authorization. Only the players and officials who have their mug-shots at the entrance can get access in the dressing room,” Manoj Tiwary told the reporters.
Abhishek Raman’s hundred leads the charge for Bengal
Coming back to the Bengal vs Andhra fixture, the home side has fielded four pacers in Ishan Porel, Mukesh Kumar, Akash Deep, and Baddupalli Amit, something which Bengal head coach and former Indian and Bengal cricketer Arun Lal had said ahead of the game. The squad, of course, does not feature veteran fast bowler Ashok Dinda, who was axed from the set-up after the fast bowler hurled abuses at the bowling coach ahead of the Elite Group A & B encounter against Andhra.
“We will have to play in a way that we don’t feel the need of an extra batsman. We have to be aggressive. Arnab and Shahbaz made a huge difference in the match against Kerala. But at Eden Gardens we might look to play four pacers” Arun Lal had said ahead of the Bengal v Andhra fixture.
Meanwhile, Bengal batted first and their opener Abhishek Raman scored a 257-ball 112.