The 2025–26 Ranji Trophy has been hit by a major controversy after the Elite Group match between Uttar Pradesh and Baroda was abandoned due to poor pitch and outfield conditions. Despite four scheduled days of play, not enough overs could be bowled to constitute a valid contest, leading to both teams being awarded one point each. The incident has sparked anger among players and officials and prompted a formal complaint by the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) to the BCCI.
The match was held at the Kotambi ground in Vadodara, where repeated damp patches and uneven bounce made the surface unplayable. Ironically, clear weather and sunshine dominated all four days, yet the ground failed to recover from earlier moisture due to inadequate drainage and preparation. Umpires and match referees inspected the pitch multiple times before declaring the game abandoned on the final afternoon.
According to UPCA officials, the state team had prepared extensively for the fixture and arrived with a full-strength squad, only to find the conditions unsuitable for competitive cricket. The team management expressed frustration that another age-group match nearby was played without issue while their first-class fixture was rendered unplayable. Coach Arvind Kapoor reportedly criticized the “poor management and negligence” of the host association, saying it showed a lack of respect for the country’s premier domestic competition.
The UPCA’s complaint to the BCCI highlighted not only the ground’s poor condition but also the impact such incidents have on players’ development. For cricketers striving for national selection, losing an entire match’s worth of opportunities to perform in first-class conditions can be career-altering. The association has urged the BCCI to conduct venue audits and impose accountability on state bodies that fail to maintain proper playing standards.
The Ranji Trophy, regarded as the heartbeat of Indian domestic cricket, has seen isolated pitch-related incidents in the past — but a total abandonment under clear skies is exceptionally rare. Experts have warned that such mismanagement undermines the credibility of the competition and could discourage top players from participating in domestic cricket, particularly when international stars often return to first-class games to maintain form.
There are broader implications as well. The BCCI has invested heavily in upgrading stadiums across India, yet smaller venues like Kotambi continue to expose uneven infrastructure quality. Ground staff training, drainage systems, and pitch monitoring are all being cited as areas needing immediate reform.
For Uttar Pradesh, the lost points come as a setback in an already competitive season, while Baroda, too, are left frustrated at missing valuable home advantage. The match’s abandonment also adds pressure on the BCCI to ensure that future fixtures are not jeopardized by preventable ground conditions.
The Ranji Trophy is meant to be the proving ground for India’s next generation of Test cricketers. When administrative failures deny players a fair contest, the entire system suffers. This latest pitch disaster serves as a warning — that India’s domestic cricket ecosystem, despite its riches, still needs vigilance, professionalism, and accountability to maintain its integrity.
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