Kolkata: A day before their Ranji Trophy match against Andhra Pradesh, Bengal team management dropped pacer Ashok Dinda from their 15-man squad for allegedly abusing bowling coach Ranadeb Bose.
The 35-year-old pacer, who took 420 wickets in 116 first-class matches, lost his cool after he observed Bose having a 'private conversation' with team captain Abhimanyu Easwaran.
As Dinda abused Bose and refused to apologise, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) dropped him from their Ranji Trophy squad on disciplinary grounds.
“He (Dinda) abused Ranadeb Bose. The CAB secretary requested him to apologise but he didn’t. It was very unfortunate. It shouldn’t have happened. A senior player like him… we desperately needed him for this game. He was ideally suited for this pitch (a green surface) and our planning. I left a little early after practice today and when I reached home I got to know what happened. (Now) the entire planning is disturbed. Then again, the game goes on. Nobody is indispensable. Certainly I support the CAB’s decision,” Bengal coach Arun Lal was quoted as saying by media.
Earlier Dinda refused to join Bengal's Ranji Trophy preparatory camp after he was overlooked for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
However, in Dinda's absence, no replacement has been named.
