Ravi Shastri and Wanhkede’s curator reportedly had a heated exchange. (Source: PTI) Ravi Shastri and Wanhkede’s curator reportedly had a heated exchange. (Source: PTI)

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has received a written complaint from Sudhir Naik, curator of Wankhede stadium, where he has alleged that two Indian support staff members Ravi Shastri and Bharat Arun abused him after India lost to South Africa in the ODI series decider at Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

“We have received a letter from Sudhir Naik where he has alleged that two Indian team support staff members Shastri and Arun had a heated argument with him post the India versus South Africa game. The matter will be put up in the next MCA managing committee meeting,” MCA joint-secretary Unmesh Khanvilkar told The Indian Express.

Naik submitted his written application to MCA vice-president Dilip Vengsarkar on Monday. It was reported that the incident took place on Sunday night after India suffered a humiliating defeat against South Africa to lose the series 3-2.

In fact, it is learnt that it all began on the eve of the game. The Team India support staff was reportedly not happy with the way the MCA had prepared a batting pitch for the fifth ODI. Looking at the track, the support staff had requested that the pitch be made on the slower side but the MCA instead used a heavy roller twice on the day before the game.

The Indian team management had already decided they will play three spinners as they thought the Wankhede pitch would offer more help to the slow bowlers. But when they saw the pitch on Saturday evening, Shastri and Arun got angry and allegedly requested Naik to pour more water so that the wicket gets damp.

It is learnt that Naik and his team didn’t follow the instruction. Later, when India lost the game, Arun and Shastri had a war of words with Naik. According to the curator, Shastri sarcastically told Naik, “great wicket”, and later allegedly abused him in Marathi.

When contacted, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said he needs to look into the allegations before taking any action.

“As for the BCCI taking action against anyone, whether it is a player or a member of the support staff, if you remember the (Kohli abusing a journalist) incident in Australia, and in the last six months we have made it very clear that the rules and regulations are equal for everyone. The same yardstick will be followed in every case,” Thakur said.

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