Internet Desk: Bengal pace spearhead Ashoke Dinda and left arm spinner Pragyan Ojha was involved in an ugly spat during the practice session ahead of their Ranji Trophy Group A tie against Tamil Nadu in Rajkot. The situation got so worse that they almost had a go at each other. The entire incident took place in front of the team. It left the team management stunned to see such behavior coming from two senior cricketers.
According to reports last received Dinda will not be allowed to play the match on grounds of indecent behaviour.
The Bengal cricketers after their routine warm up session were involved in a game of soccer. According to a cricketer (who did not wanted to be quoted) who was present during the practice confirmed, that both cricketers had a go at each other. The situation got so worse that the players had to intervene to stop them.
It was Dinda who started the entire episode. He was seen provocating Ojha during the football session. He was seen shouting at Ojha saying he was an outsider in this Bengal team. Ojha tried to keep controlling his emotions. But after a moment he walked straight towards Dinda and held him by his collars. Sensing the situation going out of control captain Manoj Tiwary and Coach Sairaj Bahutule intervened. Dinda expressed his dissent by expressing his willingness to stay away from the crucial tie.
In fact Dinda was involved in a spat with Ojha last season as well. Ahead of their Ranji tie against Orissa last season in Kalyani, Dinda expressed his frustration for not having a wicket that suited fast bowlers. He was indicating the slow bowlers in the side particularly Ojha, who did not take his comment well.
Both the cricketers called up the Cricket Association of Bengal President Sourav Ganguly and complained against each other. Sourav who was in the middle of his chat show on the India-England cricket series, called back Dinda. Later to xtratime.in Sourav said, “This things happen if you stay in family. I had a word with Dinda. I hope he leave aside the differences and play against Tamil Nadu tomorrow.”
Bengal will look to continue its winning momentum in the Group against Tamil Nadu. Manoj and his team are coming back after two consecutive wins against Punjab and Railways.
Bengal is currently placed 5th in the table, while Tamil Nadu are 2nd but having played two more matches. “We have played 3 matches and secured 15 points, they are only 17 from 5. We are still placed better,” said skipper Manoj Tiwary.
Going by the records, Bengal managed just one win against TN in the last five matches. Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary did not want to look much into it. According to the Bengal captain, “We are not bothered about statistics. Anything is possible in cricket. Whoever plays well will win at the end. We will try to be that team. Our homework is in place, it’s for the boys to execute.”
Asked about the wicket, Manoj said, “It looks a flat track with lots of runs. We need to get runs on the board and give them a tough fight.”
On the other hand, Tamil Nadu looks a balanced side, with their skipper, Abhinav Mukund in good touch, scoring hundred in the last match. Tamil Nadu will be confident after beating Baroda by an innings and 44 runs in the last match. Apart from Mukund, Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik is also amongst runs this season.
The bowling will be backed by Vignesh K, who took eight wickets in the last match and also R Aushik Srinivas, who took four in the second innings.
It goes to be seen if the Bengal team can leave aside the controversy and keep the team spirit going against Tamil Nadu tomorrow.