Jammu and Kashmir accused Baroda of pitch tampering, registering an official complaint with the match referee before day three of the 2024/25 Ranji Trophy clash.
What was the context of the game?
This match against Jammu and Kashmir is of immense importance for Baroda, with the side needing an outright win to advance to the quarter-final. Ahead of the game, also the last league round in the competition, they were second in Elite Group A with 27 points, behind Jammu and Kashmir (29) with Mumbai (22) in third position.
However, Mumbai’s innings win against Meghalaya, which also gave them a bonus point, pushed Mumbai up to the top spot, and Baroda down to third. The game against Jammu and Kashmir, thus, is a must-win for Baroda.
A victory for Jammu and Kashmir is crucial too as the race for the quarters heats up, but a draw would be enough for them to qualify, particularly after having taken the first-innings lead in this game.
What was the controversy?
Jammu and Kashmir, who registered a historic win against Mumbai in their previous encounter, had the advantage after the end of day two against Baroda, who are the hosts. The visitors, who had been dismissed for 246 in the first innings, bowled Baroda out for 166. Jammu and Kashmir extended their lead to 205 runs at stumps on day two, scoring 125-1 in the second innings.
The start of day three was delayed due to a wet outfield, with the match eventually starting at 10.55 am, as against the scheduled timing of 9.30 am. Jammu and Kashmir head coach Ajay Sharma believed the colour of the pitch had changed overnight, which was “unexpected” on the third day. Officials told Sportstar: “When the J&K team reached the ground, they alleged that near the good length area, there was quite a bit of damp patch, where the colour of the pitch had changed. They immediately alerted the umpires - Paschim Pathak and Ravi Teja, before informing match referee Arjan Kripal Singh.”
However, Baroda Cricket Association officials said the pitch was damp due to the winter season and that it was not unusual for the games to be affected by moisture at this time of the year: “That’s why even the outfield was wet. Even the umpires felt the same and that’s why they resumed the game.”
Baroda deny allegations of pitch tampering
They also denied the allegations of pitch doctoring. “The allegations made by the J&K coach are baseless. The outfield was wet and due to winter there was moisture on the pitch and even the outfield was wet. The umpire too felt the same.
"Anyone who has played cricket will understand that during winter there is moisture on the pitch and sometimes the outfield takes time to dry. Sometimes matches are delayed but calling it pitch-fixed and blaming the association for this, we will not accept these allegations. We will be approaching the BCCI for remarks made by the coach.”
The umpires later agreed to extend the day’s play to make up for the overs lost due to the damp pitch. Baroda were eventually set a target of 365 runs for a win. At the time of writing, Baroda were struggling at 178-7, needing another 187 runs for victory.
Match Match 116, Baroda vs Jammu and Kashmir
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