National selector removed from Bengal dressing room for unauthorised entry

National selector from East Zone Devang Gandhi was ejected from the Bengal dressing room for unauthorized entry by the BCCI anti-corruption official at the Eden Gardens.

Bengal players raised a question about the anti-corruption protocol at the Eden Gardens following which the national selector was removed from the dressing room.

National selector from East Zone Devang Gandhi was ejected from the Bengal dressing room for unauthorized entry by the BCCI anti-corruption official at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata during Day 2 of the Ranji Trophy match between Bengal and Andhra on Thursday.

Soumen Karmakar is the BCCI anti-corruption official deputed for the ongoing Ranji Trophy match at Eden Gardens.

The incident happened when senior Bengal players including the former captain Manoj Tiwary raised a question about the anti-corruption protocol which specifies only players and team support-staff selected for the match can be present in the dressing room.

"We have to follow what is contained in the anti-corruption protocol. A national selector cannot get in the dressing room without authorisation. Only the players and officials who have their mug-shots at the entrance can get access in the dressing room," Tiwary told the reporters.

Gandhi, a former Bengal captain, was present at the venue in his capacity as the National selector from East Zone. But Gandhi maintained that he had not broken any anti-corruption protocol.

 "I was having a back problem while sitting outside the boundary during the match. As a selector I can be present at the match.

"Knowing my discomfort Bengal coach Arun Lal asked me to consult his team physio. Before entering the dressing room I took permission from the anti-corruption official and asked the physio to attend me at the medical room of CAB (Cricket Association of Bengal) medical room, where I was attended to," Gandhi told the reporters after the incident became public.

The Cricket Association of Bengal issued a statement clearing Devang Gandhi of any misconduct. It explained what transpired at the dressing room: "Mr. Devang Gandhi, being a national selector, wanted to enter the dressing room area today when the game was not in play. He was allowed to enter the PMOA area as a temporary visitor by the ACU Official only after obtaining necessary permission from the match referee.

"However, when Mr. Gandhi wanted to get some medical treatment done and the same was informed to the ACU Officer, he was instantly asked by the ACU officer to get the same done at the medical room outside the PMOA area in order to maintain the required protocols. Accordingly, Mr. Gandhi moved to the medican room forthwith to ensure there is no breach," the CAB said in a statement.