Chhattisgarh Governor criticizes BCCI on non-invitation to watch IND-NZ second ODI, Raj Bhavan to register protest with Government of India and BCCI

Chhattisgarh Governor, Anusuiya Uikey, has criticized the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for not sending her an invitation to watch the second ODI between India and New Zealand at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium on Saturday last week.  According to reports in the Times of India, Raj Bhavan is disappointed on getting ignored for the occasion and is looking to “register its protest with the Government of India and the BCCI”.

Notably, the eminent politicians and bureaucrats of the state were invited to watch the recently-concluded second ODI, where the Men in Blue outclassed the Black Caps by eight wickets. The invitees included the likes of the state's chief minister, Bhupesh Baghel, including his ministers and the Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs). 

Others in attendance included Justices and the Judges of the Chhattisgarh High Court.

We will register our objection with the Government of India: Raj Bhavan spokesperson

"We will register our objection with the Government of India as well as the BCCI for this soon", a Raj Bhavan spokesperson told TOI.

Meanwhile, the state government had made it clear that it is in no way responsible for not including Raj Bhavan in the invitees list. The government stated that it was the BCCI who should have taken this initiative as these games are organised according to protocols of the national cricket board and the International Cricket Council (ICC).

"The state government only provided the stadium to the organisers and security. This match has put Chhattisgarh on the world map", a state government spokesperson was quoted as saying by TOI.

Coming back to the contest, the game turned out one-sided as New Zealand ran out of fire and brimstone after losing half their side for just 15 runs on the board in the 11th over. It was courtesy of Glenn Phillips (36), Mitchell Santner (27) and Michael Bracewell (22) that the Kiwis made some recovery, albeit, they could only manage a total of 108 runs.

Nonetheless, India got over the line without much troubles in the 21st over, courtesy of a brilliant 51 from the Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma.