The indirect advertisement of smokeless tobacco products like ‘gutkha’ inside the Green Park Stadium during an international cricket match is never a surprise considering that Kanpur is famous for the production and trade of pan masala. However, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) has reduced considerably the advertising space normally given to the popular tobacco brands during the ongoing second Test between India and Bangladesh.

Billboards featuring brands such as ‘Shikhar’ and ‘Shuddh Plus’ are a common sight while the electronic display boards on the boundary lines keep flashing ‘Vimal’ and ‘Raj Niwas’.

However, compared to the past the space for such brands has gone down this time around. It’s visible only on the spectator’s stands on either side of the press box while other galleries feature ads of different products like tyres and edible spices.

Many pan masala brands that have featured at Green Park in the past are missing this time but four of them are still there.

The UPCA officials, though, said these brands are only promoting mouth fresheners and not pan masala.

“They are not promoting pan masala now, they are promoting elaichi (cardamom),” venue director Sanjay Kapoor told PTI.

It was pointed out to Kapoor that the word elaichi is not mentioned. Won’t it be a surrogate advertisement then? “How should I comment on that? We do not endorse products that are hazardous for health. That’s it,” he said.

Surrogate advertisement is a marketing technique through which companies promote products that are banned or restricted from direct advertising.

The Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) of 2003, prohibits direct advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products.

It also prohibits advertisements that indirectly suggest or promote the use or consumption of tobacco products but there is no rule that bars surrogate advertisement.

This type of advertisement involves using a brand’s name, logo, and essence to promote other products or services like Kingfisher and McDowells soda water.

Getting featured during an international match, involving the Indian cricket team, is beneficial for any brand.

It is understood that the advertisements from pan masala brands used to generate about 60-70 per cent of the total revenue from one international match. However, this time UPCA has taken a hit.

“The revenue would naturally be hit if those advertisements are not there but we do not endorse tobacco products,” said a UPCA official, who did not wish to be named.

Ads of such brands, though, had featured in the UPT20 League last year.

BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla said he won’t term it a surrogate advertisement.

“If somebody writes elaichi, how can he call it surrogate? Or somebody writes some other brand which isn’t tobacco, I can’t call it surrogate. I think it’s not good on my part to say that,” Shukla said while responding to a PTI query.

Shukla said the BCCI had issued an advisory to all state associations to not resort to surrogate advertisement for tobacco products.

“There was no such order, which is mandatory. It was an advisory. So, accordingly, state associations and all those people, they are taking a call. Advisory had come from the ministry. The BCCI also issued the same advisory. Now, it’s up to the state association to take a call.” The union health ministry has also urged the BCCI and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to take measures to prevent surrogate advertisements of tobacco and alcohol by sportspersons, saying they are role models for millions of youth not only in the country but across the world.

UPCA president Nidhipat Singhania was not available for a comment.

“Mr Singhania is abroad and will be available only next month,” said an official close to him.

According to India Trade Portal, India is the second largest tobacco producer behind China and is the second largest exporter behind Brazil.

India ranks second in tobacco-related deaths worldwide, with nearly 13.5 lakhs fatalities recorded each year.

Also, tobacco-related cancer constitutes 33 per cent of all cancer cases in India with almost 50 per cent being male and 17 per cent female.

To address the issue of tobacco control, the central government launched the National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) in 2007-08 with an aim to create awareness about the harmful effects of tobacco consumption.

Langur hired to prevent monkey menace during Kanpur Test© BCCI/Sportzpics | Twitter

After a comprehensive 280-run victory against Bangladesh in the series opener, Team India gears up hoping to produce a repeat of the performance in the second Test, which takes place in Kanpur. However, a worrying news has emerged ahead of the start of the match at the Greenfield Stadium, with the weather forecast painting a grim picture as far as the opening day’s play is concerned. While overcast conditions are expected the entire day on Friday, about 4 hours of rainfall has also been suggested in the weather report.

As per Accuweather, there remains about a 96% chance of precipitation in Kanpur on Friday, with thunderstorm chances being suggested at 58%. In such a situation, completing 90 minutes of action on the opening day of the match doesn’t look like a realistic possibility.

India vs Bangladesh, 2nd Test Day 1: Kanpur Hourly weather forecast –

09:00 AM – 40 % chance of rain

10:00 AM – 58 % chance of rain

11:00 AM – 64 % chance of rain

12:00 PM – 49 % chance of rain

1:00 PM – 59 % chance of rain

2:00 PM – 49 % chance of rain

3:00 PM – 49 % chance of rain

4:00 PM – 74 % chance of rain

The Indian team’s selection would also be under the spotlight, considering the weather forecast. The pitch in Kanpur has been prepared using black soil, which gives spinners an added advantage. After fielding three pacers in Chennai during the opening Test, there were suggestions that India might go with three spinners in the second Test at Kanpur. However, the weather forecast might force the management to rethink its strategy.

Kuldeep Yadav, who warmed the bench against Bangladesh in Chennai, is one of the spinners who is expected to come in. However, if the forecast remains gloomy for the entire 5-day match, Team India might persist with the same composition.

After the first Test of the Indian vs Bangladesh in Chennai, the action now shifts to Kanpur. India would be aiming for a clean sweep in the two-match series at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. The venue is hosting its first international cricket match after 2021. However, according to a report in The Indian Express, the Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) has deemed one of the stands in the stadium as dangerous. According to the report, the government officials has given the verdict that the structure could collapse if the stand is up to full capacity. 

“The PWD has raised some issues and we have agreed that we will not sell all the tickets of Balcony C,” UPCA CEO Ankit Chatterjee told the paper.

“We have been told to sell only 1700 tickets for the stand, which has a capacity of 4,800. The repair work will continue for the next couple of days.”

The situation is so dire that a group of engineers spent considerable time at the Balcony C stand and warned the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) to close it during match.

“This stand won’t be able to take the weight of even 50 fans, if they start jumping after Rishabh Pant hits a six. This part of the stadium is in dire need of repair,” the report quoted a PWD engineer.

Rishabh Pant returned to the international Tests in the Bangladesh series post his recovery after a serious car accident and immediately stamped his class. His brisk scores in India’s first match of the series, including a century in the second innings, has brought him back to ICC Test rankings and he is in sixth position.

The top 10 rankings in Tests released by ICC in Tests and ODIs saw ups and downs after some intense international cricket action.

Yashasvi Jaiswal (751) has moved to fifth rankings, also helped by half-century in the first innings of the Bangladesh match. Pant is behind him at 731 rating points.

Rohit Sharma has retained his spot in top 10 ten batters but has moved five places down with his single-digit scores in the first Test of two-match Bangladesh series.

In terms of Test bowling rankings, Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya solidified his reputation as one of the game’s best spinners, moving five spots to eighth ranking after a nine-wicket haul against New Zealand in the Galle Test.

With ANI inputs 

After the Indian cricket team’s dominant 280-run victory against Bangladesh in Chennai, focus shifts to Kanpur where the second and final match of the series will be played. For the match, starting September 27, a black soil pitch is reportedly being prepared, contrary to the red soil pitch that was laid for the series opener. The Chepauk pitch had something to offer to everyone, with both pacers and spinners enjoying bowling on the track in different phases. However, a similar balance might be witnessed as India and England square off in Kanpur.

According to ESPNCricinfo, the Kanpur pitch is likely to be much flatter, with low bounce expected, in comparison the red soil pitch in Chepauk. With the ball expected to keep low, batters would need to adopt a more defensive approach than they did in the first match. As compared to pacers, spinners are likely to get more out of the pitch.

What Changes Could India Make In Kanpur?

With spin bowling likely to be a bigger weapon in Kanpur, the management might opt for a different strategy than fielding three pacers, that they did in Chennai. Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj all played against Bangladesh in the first Test. In Kanpur, the Indian team might benefit from benching one of the pacers in favour of Axar Patel or Kuldeep Yadav.

With the pitch expected to offer low bounce, Kuldeep might be a better fit for the Indian team than Axar, since the latter does better in pitches offering higher bounce. Other than a straight swap between a pacer and a spinner, the Indian team isn’t expected to make any change.

India’s squad for the 2nd Test against Bangladesh: Rohit Sharma (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Akash Deep, Jasprit Bumrah, Yash Dayal