"We won’t be able to play because of the wrongdoing of some people," say Oval Maidan players

Local ward says the crowding of youngsters was alarming in light of rising COVID cases

Mumbai's famous Oval Maidan witnessed seven friendly cricket matches on Thursday. But, aspiring cricketers who regularly practise and play tournament games at the Maidan, will now have to wait for at least two weeks to resume playing. BMC has shut the ground for at least 15 days because of the crowds that throng the ground. 

Every weekend, hundreds of cricketers enjoy their tennis ball games at the venue overlooking Mumbai University but they learnt on Thursday that they won’t be allowed in this weekend. “This is so wrong. We won’t be able to play because of the wrongdoing of some people. All budding cricketers, who come here regularly to learn the game and play matches will suffer. We had a 40-over game scheduled for Friday but we won’t be able to play. 

Youngsters during a cricket match at Oval Maidan on Wednesday. Pic/Bipin Kokate

“The U-14 and U-16 boys will be disappointed that they will not get a game for the next two weeks,” coach Ajay Yadav told mid-day on Thursday.

It is learnt that the tennis ball cricketers who come in huge numbers over the weekend have attracted the attention of those who are trying to curb crowding during the pandemic. 

Ajay Yadav, coach

“It is really sad that those who are playing tennis ball cricket on Saturdays and Sundays just for fun are upsetting serious cricketers who are preparing the for Mumbai Cricket Association’s upcoming selection trials and matches,” added Yadav.

Coach Deepak Bandgar, who guides kids at the Sachivalaya Gymkhana nets on the same ground, said: “It is really unfortunate that I have to tell these players that there is no practise for the next 15 days. We resumed our net practise only in January and now we have this problem. The authorities will be better off if they close this ground for cricketing activities on weekends.”

“There wasn’t any complaint about the crowd in the garden. In my round on Sunday, February 14, I had seen a large gathering of youngsters, which may be harmful in light of the growing cases of COVID-19 and hence, it was decided to close the garden,” said Chanda Jadhav, ward officer, A ward. Jadhav, however, also added that the garden will be closed ‘indefinitely’.

Inputs by Prajakta Kasale

Jan
Month youngsters guided by Coach Deepak Bandgar resumed net practise 

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