"There was no terror threat": GCA breaks silence on security threat to Kohli

RCB cancelled practice over alleged threats

A cloud of uncertainty hung over the RCB vs RR IPL 2024 Eliminator in Ahmedabad. A report by Bengali daily Ananda Bazar Patrika raised security concerns, claiming Royal Challengers Bangalore cancelled their sole practice session due to threats involving star player Virat Kohli.

The team was reportedly scheduled to practice at the Gujarat College Ground on Tuesday ahead of the Wednesday knockout match, but those plans were scrapped.

However, the Times of India presented a different account, quoting a top Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) official. Anil Patel, the secretary of the GCA, clarified the situation, stating, "There was no terror threat. We had made provision for both the Rajasthan Royals and RCB to practice at the Gujarat College ground. RCB were supposed to practice from 2 to 5 pm, then changed it to 3 to 6 pm due to good light until 6.30 pm. However, the Rajasthan Royals practiced from 3.30 to 6.30 pm with their full squad."

Patel further explained that RCB skipped their practice session due to the prevailing heat wave in the city. "We had told RCB they could use the indoor practice facility there or at the Narendra Modi Stadium. However, RCB didn't want to practice because of the heatwave."

Patel added that special permission had been obtained from the collector's office for both teams to practice at the college ground. Despite these arrangements, RCB chose to avoid the practice session due to the heat.

The lack of a pre-match press conference added to the speculation. However, a BCCI source clarified, "There was never a presser scheduled before this match, as there was already the first qualifier being played yesterday at the Narendra Modi Stadium. It's not unusual for teams to skip practice sessions at this late stage of the tournament to stay fresh after a long campaign."