Calcutta: The build-up to Bengal’s Group D Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha was all about the 22-yard strip at the BCA ground in Kalyani.

It started when the Bengal team management, after the Himachal Pradesh match, asked for a green-top wicket and the CAB curator, Sujan Mukherjee, accordingly, went about his job.

But the BCCI’s neutral curator, Shyam Bahadur Singh, inspected the pitch upon his arrival and is believed to have said that the grass on the pitch would heavily favour pacers. Thereafter, he instructed Mukherjee to trim the grass.

When Mukherjee voiced his reservations, Singh complained to the BCCI that the former was not co-operating. The BCCI, in turn, sent a letter to the CAB. Sources said that the CAB, in its reply, said the curator had overstepped his brief.

On Wednesday, Sujan was not seen in the vicinity of the pitch and as per the protocol, Singh was calling the shots.

Sourav Ganguly, the CAB president, when asked for a reaction said the matter was an internal affair between the BCCI and the CAB. “This is not something I would discuss in public. I will not say anything more,” he said.

The match will now be played on the adjoining strip which, according to both the teams, hardly has any grass.

Bengal captain Manoj Tiwary though seemed least bothered about 22-yard pitch, but did not forget to mention that the home team is not getting the advantage. “We are not worried about the wicket at all. But I must add that circumstances have forced us to rejig our plans.”

And what did Singh have to say? “I wanted a wicket which will produce a good game of cricket. My job ends with the toss. I am here from November 4 and have no issues with Mukherjee ,” Singh said.