Modi tweets suggest BCCI Secy’s hand in Jaipur pitch change

Modi tweets suggest BCCI Secy's hand in Jaipur pitch change

Former Indian Premier League chairman Lalit today took potshots at the Cricket Board officials for changing the pitch for the IPL match between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings in Jaipur, suggesting that BCCI Secretary N Srinivasan could have a hand in it.

A BCCI pitch inspector visited Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur after Mumbai Indians captain Sachin Tendulkar criticised the strip there as "two-paced and difficult" after their IPL match against Rajasthan Royals on April 29.
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It was then ordered that the last two matches of Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur -- today against Chennai Super Kings and on May 11 against Royal Challengers Bangalore -- would be played on a new strip. "A little birdie just whispered that the big game in Jaipur has been moved to a side wicket on the Square. Why? ask Rca official and CSK ...," Modi wrote on his Twitter page.

"Shows clearly how small things like a pitch selection can affect a game can be used by the powers that be. And it goes unnoticed," Modi wrote. "N Srinivasan company's new name - Indian Cements & Cricketing Monopoly Pvt. Ltd.," Modi continued. Srinivasan, the Cricket Board President-Elect, is also the owner of Chennai Super Kings IPL side.

Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne tweeted that he was surprised to know that his side will play on a new pitch. "1st time in 4yrs we got told what wicket to play on - strange? Average score in Jaipur is 154 groundmen has/does a great job," Warne, who is playing in his last IPL season, said. To this Modi replied, "good luck mate. I am sorry for the pitch fiasco u need to put up with. I am sure u will find a way out of this too."

Warne had expressed displeasure over Tendulkar's remarks on the pitch after the April 29 IPL match. "It is very unfortunate. Mumbai still is not relishing the fact that they were restricted to 94 for 8 and that is why they are searching for excuses. They should admit that they were outplayed if they were outplayed," Warne had said.