When politicians play games, sportsmen run for cover.

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The swearing-in ceremony of the Maharashtra council of ministers at the sprawling Azad Maidan in Mumbai on Tuesday led to the cancellation of as many 60 games of cricket.

The damage caused to the ground and wickets by the huge canopy erected for the ceremony means there will be little or no cricket at this famed nursery of cricketing talent for at least a few more days to come.

The Azad Maidan has as many as 22 cricket pitches, according to an official of the Mumbai Cricket Association.

The worst affected has been the century-old Harris Shield tournament. Several other junior and senior college level tournaments have also been rescheduled.

With the Diwali vacation on, the players and organisers have lost some very valuable time.

"Four wickets have been damaged with deep holes dug up to plant bamboo sticks. We don't know the exact amount of damage as yet, but at least a week will be needed to repair the affected portions," the MCA official said.

"We have been assured by the authorities that the ground will be made ready for the smooth conduct of matches as soon as possible. We are hopeful of conducting the matches over the weekend. We had drawn up an elaborate schedule of matches for the entire year," he added.

Incidentally, the MCA is headed by Nationalist Congress Party strongman and Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.