12 July,2016 08:29 AM IST | | Subodh Mayure
The Mumbai Cricket Association-organised Dr HD Kanga Cricket League is just two weeks away, but it is not clear whether the prestigious tournament will kick off as per schedule on July 24
The Mumbai Cricket Association-organised Dr HD Kanga Cricket League is just two weeks away, but it is not clear whether the prestigious tournament will kick off as per schedule on July 24.
The main concern for the MCA is the 16 grounds at Azad Maidan where the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL) has started work on their Metro-three project. The MCA planned to use these pitches during the forthcoming Kanga League, but the outfield and some pitches are littered with holes. The Kanga League sub-committee met at the MCA office yesterday to discuss a solution.
"Vice-president Ashish Shelar will meet MMRCL authorities and request them to postpone work till October which is when the Kanga League will end," MCA Hon Jt Secretary Dr PV Shetty told mid-day yesterday. Meanwhile, MCA's Maidan sub-committee secretary Shrikant Tigdi stressed that the metro project authorities should have informed them well in advance.
"Had they (MMRCL) informed us (about the current work on the ground) two to three months ago, we could have planed our tournament accordingly and not scheduled matches on those pitches. We spent around R4 lakh on clay for these 16 Azad Maidan plots," Tigdi lamented.
The Azad Maidan is home to some of the most celebrated clubs in city cricket like Parsee Cyclists, Baronet, John Bright, Bohra Cricketers and Navroz, all of whom are affected by the metro project.
