Thaindian News

Jaipur, May 12 (IANS) Shane Warne’s farewell Indian Premier League appearance at home has turned sour. The Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) has lodged an official complaint against Warne for “abusing” its secretary Sanjay Dixit on the controversial issue of the pitch.

In a media statement, RCA said Dixit did not entertain the Australian’s repeated request for changing the pitch, which prompted the latter to use “abusive” words against him after the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore Wednesday.

“Shane Warne lost his cool after losing the match and abused and insulted RCA secretary Sanjay Dixit after the prize distribution ceremony,” the statement said.

“It was brought to the attention of venue director Narendra Joshi, who lodged an official complaint with IPL Chief Operating Officer Sundar Raman. Mr. Dixit also complanied to BCCI scretary N. Srinivisan. The BCCI has begun an investigation into the matter.”

RCA alleged that Warne repeatedely text messaged Dixit and tried to pressurise him into changing the wicket.

“Dixit did not respond and that angered Warne, who insulted him after the match. Team owner Shilpa Shetty had to intervene.”

It was Warne’s last IPL match here. The Australian, who announced that he is playing his last IPL, had inspired the Rajasthan Royals to victory in the inaugural edition.

Rajasthan Royals have been a force on home turf, where the wicket has been slow and low. Mumbai Indians captain Sachin Tendulkar expressed surprise over the pitch and called it two-paced after being restricted to 94 for eight.

The wicket was changed in their last two matches, with BCCI sending its Grounds and Wickets Committee chairman, Venkat Sundaram, to ready a new strip for the remaining IPL matches here.

Stung by the loss to Chennai Super Kings, Warne said: “We have never been told to play on any particular wicket in the past four years. It is ridiculous to have instructions for the pitch.”

“It is the right of every team to extract the best out of home conditions,” he said.

Suspended IPL commissioner Lalit Modi joined the debate on Twitter. “A little birdie just whispered that the big game in Jaipur has been moved to a side wicket on the Square. Why? ask RCA official and CSK…this is where board politics come in,” he tweeted.

IPL chairman Chiaryu Amin made it clear that the decision to play on a pitch was upto the Ground and Pitches Committee.

“The BCCI would like to confirm that its Ground and Pitches Committee sent recommendations for ground and pitch preparations to all host associations before the start of the IPL season. The wicket used in the match between Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals was as per the decision of the curator and the Ground and Pitches Committee. This decision was taken in the best interests of the game.”

Rajasthan Royals also distanced themselves from the remarks of their captain and said they have confidence in the curator of the Sawai Mansingh stadium and the IPL Ground Committee to “select and prepare high quality pitches”.