Youths play cricket on the ground near the Assembly in Patna on Monday. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Feb. 21: Virender Sehwag may have inaugurated the ICC World Cup with a blazing four through the covers. But for budding Sehwags of the state capital, their favourite playground near the Assembly will be out of bounds this cricketing season.

Reason: the budget session in the Assembly. A source said the playground will be converted into a parking lot for the cars of MLAs, most of whom are going to attend the month-long session.

For young cricketers of the neighbourhood, this is very bad news, as there is no space in the vicinity where they can practise their game.

“This is the only playground in the area. We come here to play cricket or football. But we are told it will now be a parking lot for ministers and MLAs and we will not be allowed to play here,” said Sujit Kumar, a 14-year-old resident of R-Block.

The nearest ground is the one belonging to Miller High School on Beer Chand Patel Path. But there is no guarantee that the youths will be allowed to play there.

“This happens during every Assembly session. The other ground is 2km away. Most of us find it difficult to go there, and even if we do, there is no guarantee that we can play there,” said Sujit.

His friend Salman Khan (22) said: “Boys of that locality play on that ground. And this time of the year, there is usually some tournament or the other going on there. Most of the times, we have to return disappointed.”

Ranjan Kumar, another budding cricketer, said: “There is a lot of space on the Assembly premises where the cars can be parked. Why block the whole ground? This is our playground. But we have been told by the policemen to not play here as long as the Assembly session is on. Now we will have to sit at home and watch cricket matches instead, even if Ireland is playing Kenya.”

The policemen in-charge of the security of the Assembly did not want to comment.

“This issue is not so serious. A lot of cars come to the Assembly during the sessions. The Assembly premises are not big enough to accommodate all of them. Since this is the closest open space, it is converted into a parking space. What is more important? A game of cricket or the Assembly session?” said a policeman, under the cover of anonymity.