This probably qualifies as a case of a host being treated like an outsider. Chetan Chauhan, chairman of Delhi & District Association’s ground and pitch committee, was restricted from entering the playing area at the Ferozshah Kotla on Thursday. He was allegedly stopped in his tracks by Peter Griffiths, an IMG official. Chauhan, who intended to oversee the ground for the game between Daredevils and Sunrisers scheduled on Friday, was apparently issued accreditation for all other areas at the Kotla except the playing surface.
By virtue of being in an exalted post, Chauhan has the power to manage the entire cricket show at the Kotla. But the IPL mandarins, not quite known for their social grace and courtesy, insisted that the law had to be followed to the T.
GMR’s senior official and former Indian player Sunil Walson and Daredevils’s mentor TA Sekar were seen placating Chauhan. They apparently urged Chauhan “to talk to Sundar Rajan”, the sole authority for issuing passes.
An incensed Chauhan was in no mood to budge. “I run the show here, not you,” Chauhan fumed.
“By the way, why should I talk to any Sundar Rajan, or this foreigner (Peter) who is preventing me from entering my own association’s ground.”
Seeing Chauhan being humiliated, the other groundsmen left the place in protest.
Chauhan was also seen gesturing loudly at some players who were practising on the
centre wicket. “This is just not done. How can you practise so close to the main surface? This is going to damage the playing area.”
At Chauhan’s behest, some groundsmen intervened and vacated the wicket. Meanwhile, South African all-rounder Johan Botha was seen desperately trying to prevent a pole from falling on him.
Chauhan told this paper that he would apprise DDCA chief Arun Jaitley of the episode but refused further comments.
A few years back, Lalit Modi had asked the then national selector, Narendra Hirwani, to leave the IPL VIP enclosure at the Brabourne Stadium.
@shekharluthra
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