“Unfortunate and intolerable,” Saurashtra cricketers, who planned to bring ALCOHOL from Punjab to drink in ‘dry’ Gujarat, get caught at airport

Reports claimed the senior players gave the task to the U-23 players to bring the alcohol bottles.

“Unfortunate and intolerable,” Saurashtra cricketers, who planned to bring ALCOHOL from Punjab to drink in ‘dry’ Gujarat, get caught at airport

Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

As the U-23 cricketers of Saurashtra were heading back to Rajkot from Chandigarh, liquor bottles were recovered by the authorities at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Chandigarh. This happened on January 25, after Saurashtra defeated home team Chandigarh in the CK Nayudu Trophy.

A total of 27 liquor bottles and two cases of beer were found in the cargo area of the plane. Five youngsters were caught with the bottles in their bags, and they are Prasham Rajdev, Samarth Gajjar, Rakshit Mehta, Parshwaraj Rana, and Smitraj Jhalani.

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After finding the bottles, the customs authorities at the Chandigarh airport seized them and subsequently informed the Saurashtra Cricket Association. The board will now launch a disciplinary probe.

There has been an alleged incident at Chandigarh that was brought to the notice of the Saurashtra Cricket Association.
SCA said in a statement
The alleged incident is unfortunate and intolerable. The Ethics Disciplinary Disciplinary Committee & Apex Association to do an in-depth examination of the incident and shall take disciplinary action.
SCA added

Gujarat is a dry state as it upholds the Gandhian principles

According to some reports, the families of two players, Prasham Rajdev and Smitraj Jhalani, hold positions within the SCA. Rajdev’s grandfather, Mahendra Rajdev, is the pitch curator, while Jhalani’s uncle, Mohansinh Jadeja works as team manager for Saurashtra’s Ranji team.

gujarat alcohol
Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium (Image via ESPNcricinfo)

The reports claimed the senior players gave the task to the U-23 players to bring the alcohol bottles. As players’ family members hold positions in SCA, it remains to be seen how the board will consider the whole matter.

Gujarat is a ‘dry’ state because it’s the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, so it upholds the Gandhian principle. But last year in December, the state lifted the ban in some places to boost trade relations.

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