Vehement Shukla defends Green Park

Kanpur: The Green Park Stadium had been under severe fire for the lack of a proper drainage system that resulted in two days of the second Test between India and Bangladesh being called off but BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla sprang to its defence, saying the “hue and cry” was exaggerated.

“History suggests that no match has been abandoned here (in Kanpur),” Shukla, who was born here and is one of the most powerful administrators in Indian cricket, told the media in a hastily arranged press conference while the fourth day’s play was happening between India and Bangladesh.

“Matches have taken place. No match has been abandoned here in Kanpur. There are lot many venues in the world where because of the rain, matches have been abandoned. So here if two days match couldn't take place, I don't think there should be too much hue and cry.”

When pointed out that not a single drop of rain fell on Green Park on Sunday and Saturday too was largely rain free, Shukla, a member of the Rajya Sabha, chose ‘heritage’ as defence and didn’t find a single fault with Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association for the utter neglect of the ‘historic’ venue.    

“It is our heritage ground. If you remember it used to be a permanent Test centre. When we don’t give matches to Kanpur, we are criticised and, if we give we are criticised. This is the first time in 80 years that it rained so much that we were not able to host the match for two days. Now technologies are available.

“Today I had a discussion with administrators about how we can develop this system by which the rain water can immediately be flushed out. This stadium belongs to the government and we are in agreement with them. So discussions are happening,” he added.

Meanwhile, Shukla said the IPL mega-auctions could be held in November and the Board is working out the modalities.

“It (auction) should be towards the end of November. We are finalising the venue. We are contemplating both the options (of having the auction in India or abroad like last time). It may be abroad also. Last time we had in Dubai and it went very successfully," he said. 

“Whole idea is to take some elements of cricket overseas also. So, that's the basic idea. If we can't have matches there, at least we should organise such events there. Keeping that in mind, all the options are open. We are working on it.”