A cricket final in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district was dramatically disrupted when a local political leader allegedly drove a tractor onto the ground and destroyed the pitch, allegedly out of anger at being left out of the guest list, according to officials.
The incident took place on April 12 during the final match of the MLA Trophy in Dharangaon, a town more than 400 km from Mumbai.
Authorities added that the individual, who currently heads the Dharangaon Municipal Council, reacted angrily after the organizers did not invite him to the event, according to PTI.
Video of the episode, which is now being widely circulated online, shows a man driving a tractor into a field, tearing up the surface and leaving the field unusable. Players, organizers and spectators were shocked at how quickly events unfolded.
“The council chairman acted in a fit of rage,” the official said on Sunday.
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Play was immediately stopped as conditions were no longer safe, raising concerns for the safety of teams from Dharangaon and nearby villages.
The police reached the spot soon after and managed to bring the situation under control, the official said.
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No formal complaint was filed as the organizers decided not to pursue the matter further, the official added.
Netizens react
One user said: “Those who were invited there should have treated him with a belt. A guy like him is really a spoiler for many talents.” “Looks like he owns the field and they didn’t give him enough importance,” commented another. A third stated that it happened close to his home and said, “Hahaha, yes, it happened only 25 km from my home.”
“A normal day in India,” said a fourth.
The Mumbai Cricket Association is implementing a player contract system
Meanwhile, in a bid to make its system more structured and professional ahead of the 2026–27 season, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on 16 April unveiled a model players’ contract, becoming the first state cricket body to introduce such a framework.
Under this system, players in Class A will earn between ₹12 thousand and ₹20 lakh per annum while those in Grade B get ₹8 million ₹12 million. Players who place in C grade will be paid up to the above ₹8 million annually.
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The value of these contracts will depend on factors such as the experience of the player as well as the number of formats they have represented or are currently playing for Mumbai.
The contracts will be awarded to Mumbai players who have not represented India in the last two seasons and have also not been selected by any team in the Indian Premier League during that period. In terms of eligibility, players must be registered with the state association, meet the minimum fitness standards set by the MCA and receive a recommendation from the selection committee.
“This initiative ushers in a new era by providing financial security, career structure and long-term development pathways for budding cricketers,” the MCA said in a statement.
“Mumbai becomes one of the first state associations in India to formalize such a system, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing talent and maintaining its legacy of excellence. The system is designed to support players who are on the verge of higher honours, providing stability and motivation to perform consistently at the domestic level,” he added.
Mumbai contract players will also be entitled to match fees, daily allowances and performance related incentives as per the policy.
MCA President Ajinkya Naik said: “This initiative marks a new era for cricket in Mumbai. We are proud to be the first association to introduce a player contract system – a progressive step that will provide greater security, structure and growth opportunities for our players in Mumbai.”
