Court paves way for DDCA to stage India-SA fourth Test

Justice Mukul Mudgal to oversee affairs of the match at Feroz Shah Kotla

Relieved after the Delhi high court's direction to the South Delhi Municipal Corporation to issue a provisional occupancy certificate, required to stage the fourth Test between India and South Africa, Delhi and District Cricket Association vice-president Chetan Chauhan welcomed the appointment of Justice Mukul Mudgal to oversee the affairs of the match at Feroz Shah Kotla.

The DDCA received a day's lifeline from the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Tuesday after it overshot the original deadline to get the necessary clearances to host the fourth Test.

The state government then moved the high court, seeking direction to the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) over issuing a Provisional Occupancy Certificate.

After the hearing, spilled over to Day 2, the DDCA finally got relief from the honourable court and Chauhan thanked the judiciary.

"A major hurdle has been crossed and we have got relief. We also welcome Justice Mudgal to oversee the match and its organising," Chauhan said after the day's hearing.

"He (Mudgal) is a good man, a cricket lover and very reasonable. He is very impartial and we are happy to carry on our duties under his guidance," the former India cricketer said.

The Rs 24.45 crore entertainment tax slapped by the government on the state body, which seemed to be the bone of contention in hosting the match will be up for discussion on Thursday and Chauhan is hopeful that everything will fall into place.

"Look, as I said, the final hurdle has been crossed and the discussion on entertainment tax will be brought up in tomorrow's hearing. We are not running away from it but it should be reasonable," he said.

The DDCA was living on hope and prayers after the three-member probe panel, set up by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, observed that the state association is indulging in rampant corruption and needs to be suspended. Anti-DDCA voices also gained ground after the government observation but

Chauhan said controversies apart, people were unnecessarily spreading negativity.

"People were jumping unnecessarily. They even tried from the backdoor to enter the match organising committee. But their intentions have been foiled," said Chauhan.

The BCCI, though, had kept Pune as a back-up venue for the final game and is still awaiting the final verdict from the court before finalising the host venue.

In a late twist, the BCCI said on Tuesday it will wait for the Delhi high court's decision before taking a call on whether to stage the Test in Delhi or move it to Pune.

"DDCA has approached the Honourable Delhi High Court with a plea to be allowed to host the 4th Test of the ongoing Paytm Freedom Series between India and South Africa at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium, Delhi. As the matter is part heard and pending for decision on Wednesday, 18th November, 2015, the BCCI will wait for the courts decision before deciding on the future course of action," read a statement from the BCCI.

While the match is scheduled to be held from December 3 to December 7, DDCA had sought POC from December 1 to 10.