A couple of years ago, when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) introduced the Kookaburra Turf balls in domestic limited-overs tournament, the idea was to help the domestic players get accustomed to the ball that was being used at the highest level, including the IPL.
Earlier this year, the Board took a U-turn and opted for white SG balls for the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament — a decision that did not go down well with some of the teams.
But on Monday, the BCCI technical committee suggested that it should ideally continue using the SG balls in the domestic tourneys. While a final decision will be taken by the Board, with BCCI acting secretary, Amitabh Chaudhary hinting that it would be ideal to go ahead with the SG balls, which has ‘indigenous’ production. “With time, we have been going forward with using our own cricket products. We will continue to do that. But there will be certain exceptions in certain tournaments until the time we are able to persuade and convince the ICC to accept our own manufactured balls, even for international games to be played in India, which is not the case in shorter formats,” Chaudhary said.
The acting secretary also admitted that the technical committee discussed the recommendations made by the teams during last month’s captains and coaches’ conclave. “The conclave had a made a number of recommendations with regards to playing conditions, playing hours, formats, cricket balls, umpiring and so many different aspects. Most of them were considered and certain recommendations have been codified and they will be put to the general body for consideration and acceptance,” Chaudhary said.
In the conclave, most of the teams had requested the Board to bring back the relegation format. “Of course it has been discussed. But these are only recommendations, so it will be best for me to abstain from giving the details of the recommendations. It will be enough to say that recommendations were considered and referred to the general body,” Chaudhary said.
Though day-night Tests were not in the agenda, Chaudhary admitted that the Duleep Trophy, which has been turned into a day-night event for the last two years will continue to be played with the Pink ball like last season. “There were thoughts expressed on the issue of day-night Tests, which meant Duleep Trophy, in all probability, will continue with pink ball,” he added.
While Jammu and Kashmir and Tripura had to play its Ranji Trophy games out of home, as the grounds were not ready. But the acting secretary was satisfied with the ground conditions. “Every year, we are playing at new grounds, and they have not been tentative grounds. We mostly had pleasant experience barring one or two,” he said.
The meeting was chaired by former India captain and technical committee chairman, Sourav Ganguly, and was attended by acting treasurer Anirudh Chaudhary, GM (Cricket Operations), Saba Karim, chief national selector MSK Prasad. Former India pacer Debasish Mohanty was also present.
Venues for IPL playoffs
When asked about the venues for the IPL playoffs. “There is still enough time for the playoffs. There have been some proposals about the venues, the Governing Council, will meet soon to discuss the details,” Chaudhary said.
Kolkata remains a frontrunner, there are speculations that the fixtures could be held in Lucknow as well.
Comments
SHARE