No decision taken on Chennai Test post Jayalalithaa's demise: BCCI

Mumbai [India], Dec.6 (ANI): Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Ajay Shirke has informed that no decision has yet been taken regarding the hosting of the final Test of the five-match series against England scheduled to be held in Chennai from December 16. Shirke's comments came in the wake of the passing away of former Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa, who breathed her last at 11.30 p.m. in Apollo Hospital on Monday. The BCCI secretary further informed that the board is in constant touch with Tamil Nadu Cricket Association as well as local authorities and are also constantly monitoring the situation. "As you all know and there are some reports today about the next Test match which is scheduled in Chennai. There has been a very unfortunate incident in Chennai that is the passing away of the honourable chief minister," Shirke told the reporters. "So, rather than any media debate or speculation, we are making very clear the decision of the BCCI in this matter because it is a very sensitive matter. We are not taking any decision with regard to the Chennai Test match. We are keeping a close watch on the situation. And we are taking the inputs from the local host association as to what is the mood and the sentiments of the people and best on what evolves, the final decision on the matter will be taken accordingly," he added. Shirke also announced that the two Ranji Trophy matches which were rescheduled following two abandonments last month owing to heavy smog in the national capital would not be held later this month. The four affected teams - Hyderabad, Tripura, Bengal and Gujarat - will instead receive one point each. "The Senior Tournament Committee of the BCCI met in Mumbai today and revoked the decision of rescheduling the matches between Bengal vs. Gujarat and Hyderabad vs. Tripura which was called off at the end of the second days play due to smog in Delhi in the month of November. Now all the four teams will get one point each," Skirke said via a press release. Meanwhile, the Ranji Trophy match between Odisha and Jharkhand, which is scheduled to be start from tomorrow at the NPR College Ground in Dindigul, has also been postponed. "The Round- 9, Group B game of the Paytm Ranji Trophy, between Orissa and Jharkhand, which was suppose to take place in Dindigul from December 7, 2016 will be rescheduled. Fresh venue and dates of this match will be announced soon," he added. Jayalalithaa, who had suffered a massive cardiac arrest on Sunday evening, was admitted to the hospital on September 22 after she complained of fever and dehydration. The Tamil Nadu Government has declared a seven-day state mourning and a three-day holiday for educational institutions, while the neighbouring union territory of Puducherry has also announced a holiday for all government offices and educational institutions today as a mark of respect to the AIADMK chief. (ANI)