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BCCI to stick to SG balls for domestic tourneys
Kolkata, April 16 (IANS) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) technical committee on Monday decided to stick with the SG ball for domestic tournaments while also saying that they have considered the recommendations made at the BCCI conclave for the captains and coaches recently which would now be sent before the general body for final approval.
“We have considered and made recommendations. I would not like to get into the nitty-gritty. But it’s suffice to say that the effort has been to as far as possible and practicable indigenise the game of cricket in India,” BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary told reporters after the hour-long meeting held at a plush hotel here.
“With time we have been going forward with using our own cricket products and as far as possible we will continue to do that. But there will be certain exceptions in certain tournaments until the time we are able to persuade and convince the ICC to accept our own manufactured balls, even for international games to be played in India which is not the case in shorter format,” he added.
At the BCCI conclave held in March, most teams were happy with the use of the SG Test balls in the Ranji Trophy but a majority of them expressed reservations on the use of SG Glace for white-ball tournaments.
The BCCI had introduced the Kookaburra Turf balls in domestic limited-overs tournament two years back with the aim of helping the domestic players get accustomed to the ball that was being used at the highest level, including the Indian Premier League (IPL).
But earlier this year, the board reverted back to using white SG balls for the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament — a decision that did not go down well with some of the teams.
The BCCI had asked the captains and coaches of all the 28 First Class teams to submit their views on five key issues.
The five points were: home-and-away format for Ranji Trophy, four-group format tried out for the first time in Ranji, Vijay Hazare Trophy format, super league format in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the quality of balls used for the red-ball and white-ball tournaments.
Chaudhary said “most” of the recommendations were considered and would be put in front of the general body.
“Most of them were considered and certain recommendations have been codified and they will be put to the general body for consideration and acceptance,” Chaudhary said.
A section of the captains and coaches pressed for converting the Vijay Hazare Trophy knockouts into an eight-team super league, similar to the 10-team super league for the Mushtaq Ali Trophy while also pushing for a three-group format for the Ranjis from the prevalent four in a bid to play more matches.
Domestic coaches also asked for a special pay package while captains asked for their reports filed at the end of each match, to be made available on the BCCI’s website. The use of the Decision Review System (DRS) was also recommended at the conclave.
The acting secretary also added that the Day/Night format for the Duleep Trophy would continue with pink balls used for the tournament.
“Duleep trophy with pink ball will continue in all probability.”
The meeting was chaired by former India captain Sourav Ganguly and besides Chaudhary had GM (Cricket Operations) Saba Karim and chief national selector M.S.K. Prasad.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.