MUMBAI: In a shocking development, defending champions Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Indian Oil gave walkovers to their opponents after failing to turn up on the ground due to the non-availability of players on the opening day of the first round of the 92nd Times Shield tournament 'A' Division matches on Tuesday.
In group C, at Parsee Gymkhana, Bank of Baroda were given a walkover and awarded a full point as BPCL did not turn up for the match due to the non-availability of players.
According to a source, the Mumbai Cricket Association decided to play the first round of the Times Shield after its Cricket Advisory Committee, headed by former India batsman Jatin Paranjape, recommended that the tournament be played before the Ranji Trophy starts on December 13, in order to give red-ball exposure to Mumbai's cricketers. Both BPCL and Indian Oil have top domestic players in their ranks.
"This is the best time to conduct the Times Shield, as it can then be the basis of selection of players for the Ranji Trophy. We don't want to do it in March as it will be of no use then, as the Ranji Trophy and the season would be over by then," a source in the MCA told TOI.
In Group B, at Worli SC, DY Patil 'A' were given a walkover and a full point as Indian Oil did not turn up for the match due to non-availability of players.
At Goregaon SC, Pushkraj Chavan took five for 49 to help Mumbai Customs bowl out Central Railway for 195. At CCI, Yash Nahar (98) and former Uttarakhand captain Jay Bista (90) added 140 in merely 113 balls to help Jain Irrigation reach 402 for 8 in just 76 overs against the Indian Navy.
Meanwhile, in an 'A' Group match, Air India reached 170 for 3 against Income-Tax Sports & Rec 'A' after play started at 10.58am due to a wet outfield.
