Top pitch curator sidelined by UP picked for Bangladesh stint
One of the top Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) pitch curators, Shiv Kumar Yadav may not hold importance to the Uttar Pradesh Sports Directorate headed by sports minister Chetan Chauhan, the former India Test batsman, but his services have been sought by the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
Shiv Kumar, 50, who has prepared the pitch for over 200 matches, including two dozen internationals at Kanpur’s Green Park in the last 15 years, was recently shunted to Ghazipur. He has now been chosen by the BCCI to prepare lively pitches in Bangladesh.
“I got a call from BCB after BCCI’s acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary recommended my name for the job,” said Yadav. “I’ve submitted my CV to the BCB and a request letter to the UP Sports Directorate to relieve me for two years under the special leave scheme.”
Shiv Kumar, who started off as an electrician, did certification courses from the Sports Authority of India as well as the BCCI. Last May, he was transferred to Ghazipur where no cricket is being played. So, he is doing the electrician’s job.
“It’s really a great moment in my life and I am hopeful of getting the government’s nod for my stint with the Bangladesh Cricket Board,” said Yadav, who topped the BCCI’s certification course examination in 2015.
He refused to disclose what he would do if the government didn’t relieve him.
“Let the refusal come, only then I will decide. One thing is sure, I am not going to miss this opportunity at any cost,” said Yadav, who has been BCCI’s consultant curator from the central zone.