In a classic case of the message getting lost in translation, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) came in for quite a flak from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) after wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha played in Bengal's Vijay Hazare Trophy match against Jharkhand on Tuesday despite being 'rested'.
Saha was not named in the India squad for the two remaining ODIs against Sri Lanka and was advised rest for the tour of Australia where he could don the gloves in MS Dhoni's place in the first Test.
But Saha, who may have interpreted the decision to rest him in a different manner, went ahead and played Tuesday's match.
He scored an unbeaten 84 off 69 balls before taking two catches to guide Bengal to a comprehensive 163-run win.
When trouble began
Trouble, however, started as soon as BCCI got news of Saha playing. A CAB official was contacted while the match was still on and asked how the BCCI's directive of giving Saha complete rest was not
heeded.
"Apparently the selectors want Saha to take rest and not risk an injury since he might be needed in the first Test. The BCCI could also send Saha to the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore before the Australia tour begins," said a CAB official.
{{/usCountry}}"Apparently the selectors want Saha to take rest and not risk an injury since he might be needed in the first Test. The BCCI could also send Saha to the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore before the Australia tour begins," said a CAB official.
{{/usCountry}}Former India captain and current CAB secretary Sourav Ganguly, however, said he was unaware of any directive. "We didn't receive anything in official about Saha. If it finally comes through we will do it," said Ganguly later in the evening on Tuesday.