Wankhede pitch curator writes official letter to BCCI asking for Ravi Shastri's suspension

Ravi Shastri could be facing a suspension soon

Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) and Wankhede stadium pitch curator Sudhir Naik has written to the BCCI, asking them to immediately reprimand Indian team director Ravi Shastri. Apart from allegedly abusing Naik, Shastri forced the curation team to water specific areas of the pitch, which was not agreed upon by several BCCI offcials.

The official letter written by Naik stated, “Whenever international match is there, we get a message from BCCI( Team Management) at least 10-12 days in advance about their requirements. This time we did not get any message. So we prepared a good batting track. Two days before the match, we got the message that they want a turning wicket. Wicket was already prepared hard with good binding. Whatever possible to do now was done, like no watering, cutting of grass at zero level and very little rolling. Team management wanted us to water only good length area one day before the match. We as curators felt it is not advisable as two different shades will be seen. Also BCCI curator Mr. Dhiraj Parsana advised us not to put water.”

Naik went onto describe the incident that took place, after India’s hammering at the hands of South Africa, in the fifth ODI. He said, “After the first innings Mr Ravi Shastri said to me “Well done Sudhir, very good wicket”, to which I said thanks. Then he abused me and went in the dressing room. We have a complaint against Mr Bharat Arun Kumar also. He was after my assistant Mr Ramesh Mhamunkar and was coaxing him to put water on the pitch. On the day of the match he started firing him saying “you don’t listen to me, I have been calling you since yesterday night. Why aren’t you receiving my call?”

He also stated that Arun had no authority in sacking anyone from his team and that his sole responsibility was to take care of the bowling department. He ended the letter by saying, “I went and informed the incident to Mr Dilip Vengsakar (VP, MCA) and Prof RS Shetty (Game Development Manager BCCI).Such trends will spoil the harmony between Associations and BCCI. I request you both to reprimand both Mr Ravi Shastri and Mr Bharat Arun.”

The MCA is set to discuss the final verdict, regarding Naik’s complaint in their next meeting.