Bengal-Baroda Ranji match abandoned

Bengal and Baroda took home one point each as their Ranji Trophy group B match was abandoned without a single ball being bowled at Eden Gardens today.

Saturday's record downpour had left Eden Gardens waterlogged to such an extent that despite three days of bright sunshine the outfield remained soft and 'unplayable' as umpires ruled out play on all the three days earlier.

The Cricket Association of Bengal blamed the stadium's proximity to the Hooghly river for the ground to remain soggy but the detractors alleged that the Ranji match was affected because of the state body's callousness.

"We're helpless as the Hooghly is about 100 metres from the stadium so the field is bound to remain soggy despite the bright sunny days," CAB joint secretary Subir Ganguly said.
 

"It's different case for the JU Saltlake Campus venue as minimum sunshine is enough for the ground to make ready," he said pointing out that the West Indies vs UPCA venue was ready by the eve of the match.

In fact, local curator Prabir Mukherjee had created a controversy giving a different view that the field was playable as the CAB today issued a gag order on the veteran.

This is the first time in many years that the Eden Gardens could not be readied for a match despite the rain stopping a day before the scheduled start.

Bengal next face Rajasthan in an away match from November 7-10.