Shashi Tharoor slams KCA after Duleep Trophy final wash out

Kochi: Union Minister Shashi Tharoor on Sunday lashed out at Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) after the fourth day of the Duleep Trophy final between North Zone and South Zone was called off due to a wet ground following heavy rain, here on Sunday.

"KCA has brought disgrace to d state w/two major matches washed out. Who benefitted from the Rs. 8 crore spent on drainage system," the Minister said in his tweet. "KCA annual reports list JNI Stadium upgradation expenditure in crores. Since pavilion was already done,wasn`t drainage the main expense? "Cricket fans await explanations of what KCA spent on stadium upgradation & drainage. Rains haven`t prevented matches on sunny days before," he wrote. KCA President, T C Mathew responded saying Tharoor`s tweet was "immature" and had been made without understanding facts. "Those who wish that KCA should not have a stadium of its own are trying to create controversy. We have not taken any amount from the Government for drainage work," he said. "The Jawahar Lal Nehru International Stadium was not for cricket alone but for football matches also," he added. The finals of the tournament have been affected since the past four days following rains. After the heavy rains last night, the pitch and outfield were wet following which today`s match was abandoned. The first and third day`s play was also called off without a ball being bowled and with today, a total of 350 overs have been lost due to the bad weather and soggy conditions.