Mumbai, Sept 27: Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) officials are worried over the damage caused to the practice wickets at the Wankhede Stadium as well as the centre plot by the surging crowd yesterday during the felicitation function of the victorious Indian World T20 Cup squad.

MCA vice-president and chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar had an inspection of the damaged portions of the ground and told reporters that “there was some cause for concern” ahead of the seventh and final ODI between India and Australia on October 17 at the same venue.

“The crowd trampled on the six practice wickets on the east side of the stadium (near the popular Sunil Gavaskar stand) and I am afraid these cannot be repaired fully in time,” felt Vengsarkar.

“The main plot (centre square which comprises match wickets) has also been damaged a bit but it can be set right. The crucial factor is there should be proper sunshine (for the ground to dry),” Vengsarkar said.

Yesterday, the victory lap of honour by triumphant captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his team members had to be aborted midway when a section of the 35,000-strong crowd present in the stands broke down a part of the fence in the eastern part and started chasing the players.

The crowd surge on a turf that had been battered and left slushy by heavy monsoon rains at the fag end of the wet season has apparently damaged the outfield and the centre square on which some of the fans were seen jumping and dancing in glee. (Agencies)