Hyderabad’s ties may be replayed

DC CORRESPONDENT HYDERABAD, OCT. 17

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is considering replay of Hyderabad’s first two home matches in the Ranji Trophy that have been called off without a ball being bowled due to bad weather resulting in wet ground conditions.

Hyderabad Cricket Association secretary T. Sheshnarayan wrote to the BCCI president and secretary with a copy marked to the Committee of Administrators raising a request to squeeze in the games anywhere — even with a day’s gap between the two matches — in the interest of the players after matches against Maharashtra (October 6 to 9) and Uttar Pradesh (October 14 to 17) at the Gymkhana ground were washed out. Hyderabad have four more games left — three away and one at home — in the seven-team Group ‘A’ to try and qualify for the knockouts.

“Secretary Amitabh Choudhary has replied saying he’s sympathetic to our plight and has agreed to refer it to the tournament committee. I am leaving for Mumbai on Friday to pursue the matter,” Shesh said.

It may be recalled that the Twenty20 International between India and Australia (on October 13) too was called off without a ball being bowled due to wet outfield at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium.

Gujarat beat Kerala

Meanwhile, defending champions Gujarat started their Ranji Trophy Group ‘B’ encounter on a winning note against Kerala despite some anxious moments during their low-scoring chase. Chasing a target of 106, Gujarat started the day at 22 for 1 but lost six wickets in the bargain before crossing the finish line.