Players not allowed to use mobile phones during Ranji matches: MCA

Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) players are allowed to carry their mobile handsets into the dressing room, but are not authorised to use them when a Ranji Trophy tie is in progress, said its joint secretary Nitin Dalal.

MCA revealed that players are allowed to keep mobile phones in the dressing room, but not allowed to use during matches © Getty Images

Mumbai: Nov 9, 2011

Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) players are allowed to carry their mobile handsets into the dressing room, but are not authorised to use them when a Ranji Trophy tie is in progress, said its joint secretary Nitin Dalal.

“There’s no directive from the Board (BCCI) on use of mobile phones, but it has been our norm that players are not allowed to speak over their phones during play though they can bring with them. Only the team’s manager and physio are allowed to use their phones,” Dalal said.

The MCA official was responding to a query on the subject following the decision of the Goa Cricket Association to conduct a probe into the controversial decision of their sacked captain Swapnil Asnodkar to call off a run-chase against Maharashtra in a Plate League match recently.

GCA president Dayanand Narvekar has announced that everything, including the mobile phone record of Asnodkar, would be part of the enquiry.

Responding to a question on possible match-fixing with reference to the Goa-Maharashtra encounter, Narvekar told PTI in Goa that the match was big news across the nation.

“All mainstream media had covered the match,” he said, adding that unlike other matches, Ranji players are allowed to carry their mobiles into the dressing room.

Asked whether GCA would cross-check mobile record of Asnodkar, Narvekar said that everything would be a part of the enquiry.