Mumbai: The match-officials and organisers were “so much in a hurry” to start the third T20 between India and New Zealand that the customary prelude of national anthem was given a miss when the Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram made its international debut on Tuesday.
Barring Wednesday’s match, national anthem of both countries was played throughout series.
Jayesh George, the secretary of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) said: “Yes, that was a mistake on our part.”
“We were all there at the ground and in a hurry to start the match after rains. We forgot to play the national anthem.”
“It’s a serious lapse on our part and I apologise (to the nation). It will never happen again,” said George.
Meanwhile, the KCA secretary said they had invited all ex-players from Kerala including S. Sreesanth for the match. “But Sreesanth didn’t turn up,” George added.
