Ranji Trophy 2022-23: the match between Railways and Punjab called off due to a dangerous pitch

The Ranji Trophy match between Railways and Punjab was called off on the second day after the playing pitch was deemed “dangerous and unfit for play” by match authorities. The game has been postponed to a two-day event on Thursday, December 22nd, and will now be played on a new pitch. On the opening day of the game, Punjab were bowled out for 162 runs in 48.1 overs, while Railways were reduced to 77/7 by the end of the day’s play on December 20. Railways were bowled out for 150 runs after losing the final three wickets in the first session of the second day.

Punjab were reduced to 18/4 before lunch on the second day after losing four wickets in eight overs. After consulting with match referee Youraj Singh, on-field umpires K Madanagopal and Rajeev Godaratook made the decision to suspend and reschedule the game. A total of 24 wickets were taken in four sessions, with the pacers accounting for 20 of them. Punjab captain Mandeep Singh was taken aback by how the pitch performed.

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Huge setback for both sides in the tournament

“I have never seen anything like that. It was a green surface with visible cracks beneath it. Bowlers operating at 120-125 (kmph) were bowling like (Jasprit) Bumrah and (Mohammed) Shami. I was hit twice on the right thumb. Thankfully, there is no fracture,” Punjab captain Mandeep Singh told The Indian Express after the match was called off. “During the lunch break, referee Youraj Singh called me and Karn (Sharma) and asked us if we want to continue playing. It was a mutual decision and then the match was called off. It will start afresh on Thursday and will be a two-day game. I have seen the other pitch as well and have my doubts. Let’s see what is in store for us,” he added.

Karnail Singh Stadium has already been under examination. The BCCI placed the venue on a watch list in 2011 for producing substandard pitches. After a commission discovered that local curators had purposely under-prepared the wicket to benefit the Railways, it was barred from hosting matches for two years, forcing the team to relocate to Bhubaneswar before their former home venue was reopened in 2014. Currently, a result is unlikely, which will have an impact on both side’s chances of progressing in the competition. Punjab’s first match against Chandigarh was called off early due to poor light, while Railways were defeated by Vidarbha by 194 runs.