The Second day of the Ranji Trophy match between Mumbai and Railways had visiting team players. The team led by their captain Suryakumar Yadav gave the duty of grounds-men as the cricketers tried to clear the waterlogged areas of the Karnail Singh Stadium.
With their huge ‘Supersopper’ which is not working, it became an onerous job for the 4 grounds-men present at the ground, which has again brought the institutional venue under the scanner to clear the waterlogged areas in the outfield.
Led by a KKR regular and India U-23 captain Suryakumar and the most senior player Abhishek Nayar and at least seven Mumbai players walked without any shoes into the splash with a sponge in one hand and a bucket in the other.
Without wasting time the players started to use the sponge and soak the water. Suryakumar then got another creative idea.
He cut the big sponge with knife into two as pacer Kshemal Waingankar and Aditya Tare also lend their helping hand in the situation. Cutting many sponges meant more people could join in this operation. They worked for around 35 minutes.
However as some media reporters started taking pictures, Sanjeev Agarwal, Railways curator walked upto Mumbai coach Praveen Amre and solicited that his players take no further portion in this operation. He then organized for additional ground staff and the four became eight.
RSPB chief Rekha Yadav who examined the groundwork said, that no one could strand the rain and also for the last two years the Supersopper was not required as there were no matches. They were trying their best and hopefully things will fall in right position.
The grounds-men also got a tray of burning coal which helped to dry up the surface at field where they cannot avail helicopters.
Railways along with Services are two members that do not get Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) annual accord like state associations since they are institutional parts. Railways gets 1 lakh Rs. per match from Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to arrange a first class match.
Image Credit: cricketcountry