Sad for Dharamshala, it’s an accident: Ganguly

Kolkata: Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on  Wednesday termed the shifting of marque India-Pakistan World T20 clash out of Dharamsala as an accident for Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association but said the historical Eden Gardens was ready to host the high profile match on March 19. “It must be a sad moment for them for no fault of theirs. I feel for Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association and Dharamsala. I sympathise wih Anurag Thakur and people of Himachal for what has happened. It’s one of the best stadia of the country and could have hosted the game very easily,” the Cricket Association of Bengal president said after the ICC decided the match to Eden due to security concerns. After days of speculation and following pressure from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the ICC today announced its decision to shift the venue to Eden Gardens citing security concerns. Sympathizing with Dharamsala, Ganguly remembered that Eden Gardens too lost the India-England World Cup match in 2011. “This is an accident which has happened. It has caused inconvenience to the people of Dharamshala. We had lost a match in 2011 as well,” Ganguly said. He, however, said for CAB it is just like hosting one more match and the Eden Gardens is ready in all its grandeur. “We are ready. I don’t think there’s any difference. It’s just another team who comes, plays and goes. We just have to host another game. Security will be tight but the playing conditions remain the same.”  Ganguly said, “We are happy that we got this game. This was going on for a while. We had requested the BCCI as we did not have an India game while every other seven venues had. BCCI always said you have the final. “We are thankful to BCCI for awarding this match to us. Criterion was Eden Gardens. It’s historical. We are one of the best grounds in the world and it’s looking outstanding.” Ganguly, also remembered the former Board president and said it was him who had brought the final to the Eden.