I WONDER : I RECOMMEND INDIA-AUSTRALIA MATCH IN SRINAGAR.
As the mist caused by the controversy surrounding Services cricket team is lifting, it has emerged that the decision to stop the participation of the team in a Ranji trophy match to be played at Srinagar was taken after due deliberations. The Service Sports Control Board had even requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India to change the venue.
Even as the SSCB last night tendered an apology night while asking for the BCCI for fresh dates, sources said the SSCB had written to the BCCI on October 31 seeking change in venue. The request was sent through a special messenger, official sources said today.
The BCCI had suspended the service team for one full cricket season ending March/April 2010 after it opted out of a four-day match in Srinagar scheduled to start on November 3.
The decision of not allowing the team was taken after due discussion as there was specific intelligence input that the team could be under threat of a militant attack, sources said.
The Northern command of the Indian Army had indicated that it could provide for security to the team while it stayed in the Badami-bagh cantonment. It had said that it was not possible to secure the entire stadium.
Cricketers of the Services - a team that is open to Army, Air force and the Navy - would be an easy target, was the in house opinion at New Delhi. The matters to be discussed on file included that the act of not sending a team to Srinagar could send an erroneous signal.
On the other hand, it was also pointed out that if militants managed to harm any player or carry out an attack, it could send an adverse message and cast aspersions on India’s capability. The Services also did not want a Lahore-style attack when a Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked by militants.
Apart from the Commonwealth Games in 2010, India is also slated to host cricket World Cup in 2011.
Even as the SSCB last night tendered an apology night while asking for the BCCI for fresh dates, sources said the SSCB had written to the BCCI on October 31 seeking change in venue. The request was sent through a special messenger, official sources said today.
The BCCI had suspended the service team for one full cricket season ending March/April 2010 after it opted out of a four-day match in Srinagar scheduled to start on November 3.
The decision of not allowing the team was taken after due discussion as there was specific intelligence input that the team could be under threat of a militant attack, sources said.
The Northern command of the Indian Army had indicated that it could provide for security to the team while it stayed in the Badami-bagh cantonment. It had said that it was not possible to secure the entire stadium.
Cricketers of the Services - a team that is open to Army, Air force and the Navy - would be an easy target, was the in house opinion at New Delhi. The matters to be discussed on file included that the act of not sending a team to Srinagar could send an erroneous signal.
On the other hand, it was also pointed out that if militants managed to harm any player or carry out an attack, it could send an adverse message and cast aspersions on India’s capability. The Services also did not want a Lahore-style attack when a Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked by militants.
Apart from the Commonwealth Games in 2010, India is also slated to host cricket World Cup in 2011.
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