Pitch tampering mars Ranji tie

However, Punjabi said, “If Ajay Sharma refuses to play tomorrow, I have been authorised to report the matter to BCCI.”

After Tamil Nadu were all out 473 in their first innings, Delhi were 183 for four in 72 overs when the umpires decided to change the ball, which had gone out of shape. Tamil Nadu SSharath officiating as captain in the absence of injured Robin Singh and Ajay Sharma were with the umpires near the square leg area.

After replacement of the ball, Ajay Sharma walked upto non-striker’s area where his mate Mithin Minhas was standing. As Ajay Sharma brought the umpire’s notice to the “tampered spots” in the good length area on the pavilion end, Punjabi was called on to the middle. After the three officials had discussions with the rival captains, the umpires decided to end the day’s play pending decision by them.

Then, the rival captains were called upon to the umpires room, after Samran Banerjee, one of the five national selection committee member and Ashok Kumbhat, secretary, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association held discussions with the match officials. When the incident occurred, Mithin Minhas was seen standing inside the crease at the Pavilion end.

Ajay Sharma, on his return after appearing before the match officials said “Tamil Nadu were in the driver’s seat and why should they indulgein these things,” while Robin Singh and Sharath said “Why should we do such things when we are in command.” In the meantime, the umpires (Kar and Godbole) said “the two captains were with us to decide on the ball to be replaced and it must have been done by `any of the 11 players who were in the pitch area”.

Even the ESPN television crew, who were video taping the match, missed the incident and as there was no proof of the same, they decided to take the Lele’s advise on this. Punjabi said that he was barred as per board instructions to talk to the press and that he would report the matter to the BCCI. However, he maintained that he has been advised to go ahead with ther completion of the match tomorrow, the last and fourth day.

Punjabi clarified that “I am empowered to take any decision, if the team refuses to play tomorrow and that he would report the matter to the Board.”When play ended 13 minutes before scheduled close today Ajay Sharma (55: 6×4) and Mithin Minhas (17) were at the crease withDelhi at 183 for four in 72 overs.

SCOREBOARD

TAMIL NADU (1st Innings): S Ramesh c Vijay Dhaiya b Robin Singh 47, WV Raman c Mithun Minhas b Variender Shewag 67, S Sriram c Akash Chopra b Nikhil Chopra 7, S Sharath c Variender Shewag b Nikhil Chopra 11, D Vasu c Akash Malhotra b Feroze Ghyas 148, Robin Singh retd. hurt 3, Hemang Badani c Akash Chopra b Nikhil Chopra 57, Reuben Paul c Robin Singh (jr) b Rahul Sanghvi 7, Mahesh c Akash Malhotra b Robin Singh (jr) 77, Chandramouli c Akash Chopra b Rahul Sanghvi 14, Kumaran not out 3. Extras (b 15, lb 7, w 3, nb 7): 32. Total (in 187.5 overs): 473.

Fall of wickets: 1-96, 2-113, 3-131, 4-146, 5-275, 6-291, 7-449 8-455, 9-473.

Bowling: Robin Singh (jr) 44-15-102-2, Feroz Ghyas 24-2-88-1, Akash Malhotra 4-1-11-0, Nikhil Chopra 55-15-104-3, Rahul Sanghvi 27.5-4-66-2, Variender Shewag 10-1-31-1, Ajay Sharma 21-5-40-0, Mithin Minhas 2-0-9-0.DELHI (1st innings): Akash Chopra c Reuben Paul b Sriram 34, Vijay Dhaiya c Rameshb Vasu 27, Ashu Dani c Sharath b Chandramouli 26, Ajay Sharma batting 55, Akash Malhotra c Reuben Paul b Vasu 9, Mithin Minhas batting 17. Extras (b 5, lb 5, nb 5) 15. Total (for four wickets in 72 overs): 183

Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-95, 3-102, 4-137

Bowling: Kumaran 9-1-28-0, S Mahesh 11-1-31-0, D Vasu 25-10-43-2, Chandramouli 15-2-47-1, Sriram 12-0-24-1.