Kolkata: National selector Devang Gandhi was on Thursday asked to leave the Bangal Ranji team dressing room on the insistence of senior batsman Manoj Tiwary for his "unauthorised" entry but the state association categorically denied any breach of anti-corruption protocol. It eventually turned out to be an unnecessary controversy, which Gandhi said has hurt the entire Bengal cricket fraternity. The incident happened when the second day's play was held up due to bad light and Gandhi entered the dressing room, looking for team physio. BCCI anti-corruption official Soumen Karmakar asked Gandhi to leave the dressing room after former captain Tiwary cited anti-corruption protocol, which specifies that only players and team support-staff can be present in the dressing room.

"We have to follow what is contained in the anti-corruption protocol. A national selector cannot get in the dressing room without authorisation. Only the players and officials who have their mug-shots at the entrance can get access in the dressing room," Tiwary told reporters. Gandhi though said he did take permission from the anti-corruption officer before entering the dressing room. "I had absolutely followed each and every protocol. I was invited by Bengal coach Arun Lal to the dressing room. He was my first captain. I had a back issue, so I took permission and asked the Bengal physio to come to the medical room. But Manoj seemed to have issues with it," Gandhi told PTI. The East zone selector said Tiwary, who has played under him in a couple of Ranji seasons, did something which was uncalled for.