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A massive controversy erupted in the prestigious dometic cricket tournament, the Ranji Trophy 2024-25. On Day 3 of the seventh round Ranji match between Jammu and Kashmir and Baroda, the former refused to bat in protest against Baroda over pitch tampering. J&K team lodged an official complaint with the match referee alleging Baroda of pitch tampering at the Reliance Cricket Ground in Vadodara.
The incident unfolded ahead of the third day’s play in a crucial match with the playoff qualification still in picture. Coming back to the controversial incident, the J&K players were unhappy as they felt that the colour of the pitch was different to what they were playing on Day 2.
Controversy interupts proceeding on Day 3 of Ranji Trophy match between J&K and Baroda
According to a report in The Indian Express, coach Ajay Sharma believed that the pitch was tampered and discussed the issues with the umpires, Pashchim Pathak and Ravi Teja, along with the match referee Arjan Kripal Singh. Things aggravated, seeing the match get delayed by over one and an half hours. Although, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) cited dampness in the pitch as the reason, the hosts also quoted the same reason for the colour change.
A Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) official thereafter opened up on the incident and called the allegations “baseless”. “The allegations made by the J&K coach are baseless. The outfield was wet and due to winter there was moisture on the pitch and even the outfield was wet. The umpire too felt the same. Anyone who has played cricket will understand that during winter there is moisture on the pitch and sometimes the outfield takes time to dry. Sometimes matches are delayed but calling it as pitch-fixed and blaming the association for this, we will not accept these allegations. We will be approaching the BCCI for remarks made by the coach," a BCA official said, as quoted by The Indian Express.
Speaking of the match where J&K will look to qualify even with a draw, Baroda need an outright win to progress into the playoffs. As of writing with the first session of the final day underway in Vadodara, Baroda need 307 runs to win with their scoreboard reading 58/2.