MOHALI: The BCCI has given Tamil Nadu Cricket Association 15 days to sort out the issue regarding three stands at MA Chidambaram Stadium or be prepared to lose World T20 matches it’s scheduled to host next year.
The schedule for the event is likely in a fortnight and it is learnt that the board wants TNCA to get the stadium ready. The Chennai Corporation has sealed three stands, which can accommodate 12,000, because they were built without permission. Since an ODI in 2011, TNCA has not used those stands. They sought the permission before the recent ODI against South Africa, but due to delays the match took place with those stands closed.
With World T20 nearing, BCCI has to give ICC a list of venues. “We want TNCA to solve the problem because Chennai is a traditional venue. We will wait for 15 days and take a call after that. It will be hard to convince ICC that matches can be held at a stadium where three stands are closed,” BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur told Express.
Though the TNCA is trying, response from corporation officials have been lukewarm. “We would love to open all stands. If we don’t get clearance, the BCCI can do little about it as it has to follow ICC norms. If we don’t get any positive response from relevant departments, then Chennai won’t be hosting World T20 matches,” a source in the TNCA said.
Selection Panel
Despite Mohinder Amarnath being the frontrunner for the chairman of the selector’s post, there are whispers that Sandeep Patil might continue for another term. Complications in pushing Amarnath from West Zone is forcing this rethink.
Current selector Vikram Rathore hails from North Zone and is close to Thakur. Even Amarnath hails from North and though the idea is to nominate him from West, a few members are against this. The BCCI will take a call on November 8, a day before the AGM. There is a possibility that at least two from the current panel will continue.