AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat Cricket Association on Tuesday dismissed the reports that Royal Challengers Bengaluru had to cancel their only practice session heatwave before the IPL 2024 Eliminator against Rajasthan Royals due to security reasons.
Guards caught four men yesterday at Ahmedabad’s airport on charges of terrorism. The police reportedly found guns, strange videos and texts after searching the hideout of the four accused. The RCB cancelled their training session at a Bengali daily, which claimed that there were some threats to Virat Kohli’s life. Nonetheless, GCA clarified that this happened because of the ongoing summer heatwave in Ahmedabad.
“There was no terror threat. We had made provision for both the Rajasthan Royals and RCB to practice at the Gujarat College ground. As it is bright enough until 6:30 pm in this city during summer time, RCB changed its slot from 2-5pm to 3-6pm for good light,” a GCA official told PTI.”But today evening at 3 pm we have seen them practicing with a full team,” he added.
RCB cancelled their practice on account of heatwave in the town. “We had already informed RCB they could use either indoor practice facility or Indoor facility at Narendra Modi Stadium. ”Anil Patel Secretary said. “They did not want to go outside due to very high temperature,” he said.
“We had taken special permission from collector office (for tramcar practice at college ground) since college ground comes under its control. Even collector gave special permission for both teams for practicing on college ground. But as I said earlier, they avoided due to heat wave” added Patel.
There were speculations that there was no pre-match press conference prior to Eliminator because of terrorism alert but BCCI source rejected this news. “There has never been a presser scheduled before this game as there has already been eliminator one played between KKR and Hyd Sunrisers yesterday at the narendra modi stadium. Besides, teams often do not have practice sessions near the end of the tournament to remain fresh for the match after a long campaign,” he said.
Returning from behind, RCB has now won six games on a row and stormed into the playoffs. They defeated Chennai Super Kings in their last game throwing the team out of this year’s tournament.