Why did Jammu & Kashmir accuse Baroda of pitch tampering during Ranji Trophy game?

The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) team has accused Baroda of pitch tampering in the recently concluded Ranji Trophy 2024-25 game. Notably, J&K were coming off a handsome victory against Mumbai and needed to draw or win the game against Baroda to seal their place in the quarter-finals. On the other hand, Baroda (BDA) needed to win the game at any cost to reach the playoffs. 

J&K's strong position before the controversy

After bowling out Baroda for just 166 runs, Jammu extended their lead to 205 at the end of Day 2. But Day 3 did not start at the prescribed time as the wet outfield delayed the game by almost one hour and 25 minutes.

J&K's coach accuses Baroda Cricket Association of tampering

Jammu and Kashmir Head Coach Ajay Sharma noticed the colour of the pitch changing overnight and accused the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) of tampering with the pitch. 

“When the J&K team reached the ground, they alleged that near the good length area, there was quite a bit of damp patch, where the colour of the pitch had changed. They immediately alerted the umpires - Paschim Pathak and Ravi Teja, before informing match referee Arjan Kripal Singh,” said officials as quoted by Sportstar. 

Baroda Cricket Association responds to allegations

However, BCA denied the allegations and said that the deck is affected due to moisture which is common in the city at this time of the year. They also ruled out any malfunctioning of the strip as baseless and warned that they would reach the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after they were levied such allegations.

“The allegations made by the J&K coach are baseless. The outfield was wet and due to winter there was moisture on the pitch and even the outfield was wet. The umpire too felt the same. Anyone who has played cricket will understand that during winter there is moisture on the pitch and sometimes the outfield takes time to dry. Sometimes matches are delayed but calling it pitch-fixed and blaming the association for this, we will not accept these allegations. We will be approaching the BCCI for remarks made by the coach,” BCA stated. 

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