Ratnakar Shetty made in-charge of troubled Test vs Bangladesh in Hyderabad
Ratnakar Shetty. Chethan Shivakumar/BCCL
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI ) has put Hyderabad on watch list. The move was necessitated due to uncertainty in the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), which has been allotted the one-off Test against Bangladesh next month. Ratnakar Shetty has been appointed point man for the game. The decision was taken late Saturday evening by Rahul Johri , who has empowered Shetty to take required decisions to ensure smooth conduct.If needed, Shetty can even take the extreme decision of moving the game out of Hyderabad. The Test is scheduled to be staged from February 9 to 13.
The problem facing the BCCI is that there is no proper governing setup in the HCA. The elections have taken place recently but the results have not been made public due to a court order. The members of the previous body had resigned and there is no recognition for the interim body that was set up some time back.
Compounding the BCCI worries are recent a request for funds from the HCA. In a letter a few weeks back, the association had stated that it would struggle to hold the game if funds were not sanctioned.
As of now, the BCCI is trying to deal with Arshad Ayub-led former body.Johri is understood to have written to Ayub asking him what are the problems and if there can be an incident free Test. Shetty may also visit Hyderabad for a spot inspection.
Meanwhile, the BCCI has deputed South Zone pitch committee member PR Viswanathan and he is understood to have started working on the wicket with the local curator. But Johri and Shetty have kept all the options open.
Johri could not be contacted for confirmation. When contacted, Shetty neither confirmed nor denied his appointment.
The problem facing the BCCI is that there is no proper governing setup in the HCA. The elections have taken place recently but the results have not been made public due to a court order. The members of the previous body had resigned and there is no recognition for the interim body that was set up some time back.
Compounding the BCCI worries are recent a request for funds from the HCA. In a letter a few weeks back, the association had stated that it would struggle to hold the game if funds were not sanctioned.
The BCCI has not granted any money but would leave the matter to the administrators, who are expected to be appointed by the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Besides, from today a few office-bearers, who found a new lease of life following the court order, are also set to enter the scene.
As of now, the BCCI is trying to deal with Arshad Ayub-led former body.Johri is understood to have written to Ayub asking him what are the problems and if there can be an incident free Test. Shetty may also visit Hyderabad for a spot inspection.
Meanwhile, the BCCI has deputed South Zone pitch committee member PR Viswanathan and he is understood to have started working on the wicket with the local curator. But Johri and Shetty have kept all the options open.
Johri could not be contacted for confirmation. When contacted, Shetty neither confirmed nor denied his appointment.
