Ranji Trophy: Mumbai-Railways game shifted out of Wankhede Stadium

Ranji Trophy game between Mumbai and Railways has been moved out of Wankhede Stadium.

Mumbai: The Group B Ranji Trophy game between Mumbai and Railways from November 15-18 has been moved out of the original venue, Wankhede Stadium, to Mumbai Cricket Association's facility at the Bandra-Kurla Complex here.

Though MCA has not issued any official media release about the change in venue of the game, it's reliably learnt that the Mumbai team management wanted the game moved out from Wankhede after another run-feast occurred at the ground when Mumbai played against Uttar Pradesh from November 7-10.

Close to 1,200 runs were scored in the drawn encounter between the 40-time champions and visitors on a good batting track, far different from the usual result-oriented pitch - full of pace and bounce - that used to be prepared there.

Mumbai ran up a huge score of 610 for 9 declared against UP, who replied with a score of 440 in the four-day fixture. Following on UP made 140 for one and the game was drawn.

The hosts secured three points by virtue of the first innings lead and are sitting pretty atop the group with 20 points.

But the heart-break of a track at the Wankhede, where South Africa had posted a record-high total of 438 to win the deciding fifth and final ODI on October 25 against India, has forced the team management to seek the change of venue.

It's an irony of sorts as Mumbai players in the past were not very happy with BKC ground as they felt it lacked pace and bounce that Wankhede possessed.

This season, BKC ground has hosted only one Ranji game, between Mumbai and Tamil Nadu between October 15 and 18, that ended in a thrilling one-wicket victory for the hosts who were bowled out for 95 in the first innings before turning the tables on the visitors.