BCCI chief expresses unhappiness over Eden track

FILE PHOTO: 15 Mar 2001: Steve Waugh of Australia hits out with substitute wicketkeeper Rahul Dravid of India looking on, during day five of the 2nd Test between India and Australia played at Eden Gardens, Calcutta, India.

Kolkata, Dec 8 – With India in an unenviable position in the Eden Gardens Test, Indian cricket board chief N. Srinivasan Friday expressed his unhappiness about the track during a meeting with Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) chief Jagmohan Dalmiya.

“Srinivasan very informally said that things could have been different. He seemed somewhat unhappy,” a senior CAB official said.

“He said he was all for good cricket but the home advantage has to be kept in mind. He also said when the Indian team goes abroad it has to contend with unfavourable tracks,” the official said.

“We also discussed about the coming Pakistan tour in which Eden would host the second ODI,” he said.

Another source said Srinivasan spoke to Eden curator Prabir Mukherjee and advised him to cut down on his interaction with the media.

Ahead of the match, there was a controversy when Mukherjee slammed Indian skipper M.S. Dhoni for demanding a square turner. Later, the Board of Control for Cricket in India deputed its East India curator to supervise the preparation of the track.

The Eden pitch, far from a rank turner, has not been a happy hunting ground for the Indian spinners so far.

In reply to India’s first innings score of 316, England are now 509/6 with two days remaining in the match.

While the visitors are seemingly in a position where they cannot lose, India need to gear up for a grim battle to save the match.

With the four-match series locked 1-1, the winner in the Eden match will take an unassailable lead.