Confusion prevails as MCA deny reports that BKC ground may replace Wankhede as home venue for Mumbai's next Ranji fixture
With the 7th round of the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy season set to start from 15th of November, it is still not certain where Mumbai will be playing their home fixture against Railways. While ESPNCricinfo reported on Thursday that the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) was likely to shift their home ground from the Wankhede to the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) ground, FirstPost reports that the game is likely to be staged at the former.
Mumbai Coach Chandrakant Pandit had even commented that he wanted the match to be played at the BKC.
“We played against Tamil Nadu [at BKC], and we thought it was a better option for us, whichever venue you play, ultimately you look for results. Probably we thought that BKC will be a better option for us. We played a good game [against Tamil Nadu]. More than just getting the result for Mumbai it's a game which you can play [in a] much better way. It was a decision taken by the management - the captain, manager, everybody." Pandit told ESPNCricinfo.
Mumbai have played 3 home matches till now out of which they have won 2 – one at Wankhede and the other at BKC. Mumbai currently tops the table with 20 points and will be looking to extend their lead when they take on Railways next week.
There were suggestions that the batsman friendly nature of the Wankhede that has come in for sharp criticism in recent times, especially in the final ODI between India and South Africa as the visitors amassed a mammoth total of 438 runs batting first. The last Ranji encounter at the venue saw Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh score a combined total of around 1200 runs as the two sides played out a drab draw.
Pandit, however, refuted such claims saying that the team management simply wanted to try out a new venue.
“People misunderstand us that [we have switched venues] because there is no result or something. Nobody should forget that we played against Punjab [at the Wankhede], we got outright result there, we played this match [against Uttar Pradesh] and we thought why not play at a different venue. Probably the team has the confidence that we will be able to play much better cricket there. It is a combination of factors," he said.
MCA official denies reports of venue change
MCA joint secretary Dr. P V Shetty poured cold waters on the reports however and said that the Wankhede will remain as the venue for Mumbai’s game against Railways.
"I can confirm that the match is at Wankhede," Shetty said, as quoted by Firstpost. They also claimed that a source associated with the BCCI had said that a lack of time was the only reason why the venue change didn’t work out.
"There was a request from MCA to shift the game from Wankhede to the BKC ground, but it could not be entertained as there was very little time for one of our pitches and grounds committee member to visit the venue (BKC) and certify it for staging the game," the source said.