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DDCA hell bent on holding Test

Activists of the Shiv Sena broke through the wafer-thin security at the Firozeshah Kotla Stadium in Delhi shortly before midnight on Wednesday, and caused extensive damage to to the pitch on which the first Test against arch rivals Pakistan, slated to start on January 28, was to have been played.

The Test was supposed to resume a cricketing rivalry that has been in abeyance for 11 years. However, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray had threatened to disrupt the tour and, in fact, this incident is reminiscent of a similar one at the Wankhede Stadium, in Bombay, earlier when Sena activists had vandalised the pitch, causing much heartburn and the eventual cancellation of a planned tour.

According to Sunil Dev, Honorary Sports Secretary of the DDCA, about 20 to 25 activists of the Shiv Sena entered the stadium and dug up the pitch, protesting the DDCA's decision to stage the match in spite of Thackeray's warnings.

"We are digging up the pitch at the instance of Sena chief Bal Thackeray and our MP, Madhukar Sarpotdar," proclaimed Shiv Sena youth wing leader Rajender Singh Saini.

"I got a call at around midnight and I rushed to the stadium,” recalls Sunil Dev. Apparently, while the rest of the Sainiks ran away, five remained behind to court arrest.

Dev said that the full extent of damage to the pitch could not be estimated, because of continuous rain. It has been raining in Delhi for the past 24 hours, but Dev still waxed confident of hosting the match, after repairing the damage.

Dev in fact said that he had anticipated trouble and, indeed, spoken to Nikhil Kumar, special secretary in the Home ministry, requesting extra security.

As of now, there are three armed guards patrolling the stadium. One of them fired a warning shot in the air, but the Sainiks did not pay much heed, apparently.

Dev admitted that the incident had definitely jeopardised the tour, and said it was up to the politicians and bureaucrats of both countries to avoid further incidents and ensure the hosting of the landmark tour.

"No one can stop the Test from being played at the Kotla ground, it will be held as per schedule," DDCA president Rambabu Gupta said.

"We are not going to give up the match because of a handful of people," Dev added. "I hope the government will respond positively at least now, and make adequate security arrangements for the DDCA to ensure that the long awaited match between India and Pakistan is held under peaceful conditions."

Former India skipper Kapil Dev also condemned the incident, and called on the government to ensure that they are not reiterated.

"I am really shocked that a politician of the stature of Bal Thackeray should have any objection to Pakistan's cricket team playing in India," Kapil said.

"Politicians should fight their battles on the political front and leave the sport alone. If we don't went to have anything to do with the Pakistanis, then their embassy staff should be asked to pack their bags and go home. But if we have diplomatic ties with them, then sports should be left alone. An India-Pakistan cricket Test is always a fascinating contest, and all efforts should be made to see to it that the game goes on unhindered, whether in Delhi or elsewhere," said the former Test star.