National selector Devang Gandhi expelled from Eden dressing room for unauthorised entry

Kolkata, December 27: BCCI national selector Devang Gandhi was ejected from the Bengal dressing room for unauthorised entry at the Eden Gardens on Day 2 of the ongoing Ranji Trophy match between Bengal and Andhra.

Devang, who is the national selector from East Zone, was ejected by Soumen Karmakar, BCCI anti-corruption official deputed for the match.

The incident took place after senior players Bengal raised a question about the anti-corruption protocol which specifies only players and team support-staff selected for the match can be present in the dressing room.

"We have to follow what is contained in the anti-corruption protocol. A national selector cannot get in the dressing room without authorization," former captain Manoj Tiwary -- who was among the players raising the question -- told the reporters.

"Only the players and officials who have their mug-shots at the entrance can get access in the dressing room," he added.

"Devang Gandhi was asked to leave the Bengal dressing room by the anti-corruption official after Manoj Tiwary's complaint. According to Tiwary, Devang had gone to the dressing room to get in touch with the Bengal physio for some treatment. This, he said, amounts to violation of law and as soon as he reported the matter to the anti-corruption official, Devang was asked to leave. Devang's version is that he was at the medical room and had called the physio there," a source said.

Bengal reached 281/7 before play was stopped due to bad light. On Day 1 of the match, left-handed batsman Abhishek Raman scored a magnificent hundred.