MUMBAI: In the light of the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore staging a full IPL game despite a hailstorm and rain just before the match on Sunday, the BCCI's former Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) wants all other cricket associations in India to learn from the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), when it comes to "developing infrastructure" which prevents play from getting lost due to bad weather. Shetty stressed that this was particularly in a year when India is set to host the ODI World Cup.
"Yesterday, there was a hailstorm till 4.30pm and plenty of rain in Bangalore. Yet, once the rain stopped, not an over when was deducted. We witnessed an almost full 40 overs game at the Chinnaswamy Stadium there (between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Titans), which resulted in a thrilling climax to the league stage of the IPL. This was only possible due to the infrastructure, the sub air system installed by the KSCA at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. I must compliment the KSCA for their vision to upgrade infrastructure at that venue a decade ago," Shetty told TOI on Monday.
"All the associations get the same grant from the BCCI. If the KSCA has installed the solar panels, sub air system and STP (sewage water treatment system), the other state units too must spend on developing the same kind of infrastructure. It shows that they care for players, fans and all the stakeholders in the game," felt the veteran administrator.
The BCCI is planning a massive renovation and upgradation of at least five major stadiums, with an estimated cost of over Rs 500 crore, ahead of the ODI World Cup in October-November in India. Shetty wants the Board to ensure that the state associations hosting World Cup matches are made to spend money on developing infrastructure in that regard. "Considering that the tournament will be played in months in which rain can be an impediment, the BCCI has to ensure that all the staging venues must have the right infrastructure in place to ensure that the game starts as soon as possible once the rain stops. When you have so much money, you should be able to ensure these kinds of things," Shetty said.
