Kolkata, Dec 24 : So stringent was the security at the Eden Gardens that even cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar was denied entry to the ground for not carrying his pass during the fourth India-Sri Lanka one day match here Thursday.

Gavaskar, who is on a commentary assignment with official broadcaster Neo Sports, was asked to show his accreditation pass by the security men manning the gate when he was entering the stadium in the afternoon.

As Gavaskar had left his pass at the hotel, the security men refused to allow him in as per the rules, said sources in the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).

However, before things took an ugly turn, CAB officials and co-commentator Russel Arnold rushed to the spot and defused the situation by taking Gavaskar inside.

Later, while talking to CAB officials, Gavaskar played down the issue.

"It's nothing. It's a non-issue," he told the officials.

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the incident. "It is sad that the security procedure was followed with a legendary cricketer like Gavaskar."(IANS)