CABThe Cricket Association of Bengal

A race against time


7th September 2021
A sudden deep depression over Bay of Bengal resulted in a heavy downpour in the city during the day threatening a wipeout of the first day's play of Byju's Bengal T20 Challenge. But the Cricket Association of Bengal management had other ideas.
The gloom of the grey skies had precipitated onto the players of the four teams ready to lock horns on the opening day. While Kanchenjunga Warriors were due to take on Barrackpore Bashers in the opening tie, Durgapur Dazzlers were supposed to test the mettle of Krishnagar Challengers in the second tie.
There looked to be little hope as the skies rumbled and rains continued. But a sliver of sun pipped the western horizon around 5pm. The downpour reduced to a drizzle, before stopping altogether.
CAB President Avishek Dalmiya, Hony Secy Snehashis Ganguly, Pitch Curator Sujan Mukherjee and Jt Secretary Debabrata Das swung into action. Thanks to the proper covering of the ground, the pitches were dry and the sogginess of the outfield was removed with three super soppers that were quickly deployed. The ground was ready for play in two hours' time even after incessant rains throughout the day.
CAB President Avishek Dalmiya said: "If the choice was to have no match and a truncated game, it was no choice at all. We did everything humanly possible for the matches to begin. And luckily the weather also held up. The ground staff worked overtime from the moment the rains stopped and made the impossible, possible."
CAB Secretary Snehashis Ganguly said: "I was determined to give my best shot. I knew if the rains stayed away, Eden had a fabulous drainage system and if everyone worked in tandem then the grounds could be readied for the matches "
The toss for the first match took place at 7.30 pm three and half hours behind schedule. The matches began with former Bengal skipper and Minister of State for Sports and Youth Affairs Manoj Tiwary ringing the Eden Bell.




CAB MEDIA DESK
Arindam Basu