Barabati Row: OCA Secretary Ashirbad Behera slams Sunil Gavaskar

Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) Secretary, Ashirbad Behera, who failed miserably to hold the India vs South Africa tie in a peaceful manner, has hit back at former Test cricketer Sunil Gavaskar for his comments that Cuttack should be banned from hosting any international match for a couple of years.

The OCA Secretary regretted the crowd trouble at Barabati during Monday’s tie and admitted that it brought disgrace to the image of Odisha. However, he tried to put up a volt face, saying only a handful of people were involved in the incident, while the majority of cricket lovers were enjoying the game.

“Sunil Gavaskar should stick to his commentary. He cannot decide which venue should get a match or which one would be banned,” said Behera. The match was halted twice and 55 minutes were wasted when the crowd threw bottles into the ground following India’s poor performance.

Earlier, former IPL Commissioner and Rajya Sabha MP Ranjib Biswal, has apologised to the cricket lovers for the unfortunate incident at Cuttack on 5 October.

“Feeling,disgusted, angry and shamed for the behavior of handful of mindless hooligans who destroyed the sporting image of Odisha sport lovers”, he had tweeted soon after the match.

“All of us should stand against these hooligans rather than be mute spectators. These mad elements only tarnish the image of Odisha worldwide. My apology for today’s incident.” added Ranjib Biswal.