AHEAD OF LIONS’ MATCH, PITCH DIGGING AVERTED

The Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) filed a police complaint on Saturday against four persons for trespassing into the SCA International stadium. Their intention was to damage the pitch for Gujarat Lions’ home game against Royal Challengers Bangalore to be played on Sunday.

Part of the Rashtriya Dalit Mahasangh, the four had entered the ground with shovels and rods on Friday, but officials claim they were apprehended before they could reach the wicket. “After the incident, we have heightened security as a precautionary measure,” SCA president Niranjan Shah said. “We will be more vigilant for upcoming games,” he added.

Venue manager Himanshu Shah admitted the men found their way to the ground without being stopped. “It is unfortunate that they were able to go into the ground. Thankfully, they were spotted immediately,” he said.

Earlier this week, there were protests in the state with members of the Patel community demanding reservation. The protests had even led to riots in other parts of the state. Though Rajkot had remained untouched by the violence, it was put on alert.

In the lead-up to the Gujarat Lions and Sunrisers Hyderabad match on Thursday, there were fears of protests outside the stadium. The four persons who stormed into the stadium were not connected to the reservation stir, but were demanding the IPL being shifted out due to water shortage in the state. “Every day there is a new controversy which is cooked up,” said Niranjan. “An FIR has been registered and we are hoping that this is the last of such stunts.”