Patna: Bihar’s Moinul Haq Stadium is making headlines for an unusual reason. During a Ranji Trophy match between Bihar and Karnataka, the Bihar Cricket Board used an unusual approach to dry the pitch—burning cow dung cakes. This unexpected method of preparing the pitch has sparked a heated discussion on social media, with fans questioning the state of Bihar’s sports facilities.
When the rain left the pitch wet, the Bihar Cricket Board had no equipment ready to manage the situation. Instead, stadium staff resorted to using cow dung cakes to dry the pitch, a technique more common in rural Indian settings than in modern sports. As photos of this “jugaad” spread, social media lit up with reactions, with many questioning the maintenance standards in Bihar’s state stadiums.
Criticism of BCCI: A Billion-Dollar Board Without Proper Resources?
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), often called the richest cricket board globally, is now facing criticism for the lack of basic facilities in Bihar’s cricket infrastructure. Fans and critics are pointing out that while BCCI spends lavishly on players and coaches, there seems to be minimal investment in stadium upkeep in some states. The photos of the pitch drying setup, featuring burning cow dung cakes, raise questions about BCCI’s commitment to state cricket infrastructure.
Many are wondering why, with a considerable budget, the board has not equipped smaller stadiums with modern drying equipment or heaters, essentials for managing a cricket ground.
Stadium Maintenance Issues Exposed
This isn’t the first time that Patna’s Moinul Haq Stadium has been criticized for its poor condition. Photos of cracked walls, leaking roofs, and broken spectator stands have surfaced before, sparking similar outrage. Although the Bihar Cricket Board has promised improvements, the latest incident seems to show that essential maintenance and upgrades are still lacking.
Reports indicate that the wet pitch delayed the start of the match until lunch, eventually leading to the cancellation of the day’s play. Basic infrastructure, like a functioning drainage system, is also missing, adding to the challenges faced by stadium staff.
Bihar vs Karnataka: Match Summary So Far
Despite the pitch issues, the match saw some play on previous days. Bihar, batting first, posted a total of 143 runs in their first innings, with opener Sharman Nigrodh scoring 60 runs off 143 balls, including six boundaries and two sixes. Other batsmen struggled to make significant contributions, with Bipin Saurabh scoring 31 runs and R. Pratap Singh 16.
On the bowling side, Karnataka’s Shreyas Gopal took four wickets, and Mohsin Khan bagged three, keeping Bihar’s batsmen under control. When play resumed, Karnataka started their innings, reaching 16 runs without any wicket loss, with Nikin Jose and Sujoy Sateri unbeaten on 11 and 4 runs, respectively.
Growing Need for Basic Facilities in Indian Stadiums
This incident has led to a wider conversation about the quality of facilities in smaller cricket venues across India. Fans and analysts are calling for better resources and maintenance in all state stadiums, ensuring that players, support staff, and fans can enjoy games without such interruptions.
