JKCA completes ‘drama’ of picking probables without holding trial matches

Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU, Sept 1: Notwithstanding the promise made by the administrators that the selections will be made after holding a good number of trial matches, the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) after shifting the Jammu province Ranji Trophy and Under-23 cricketers to Srinagar completed the formality rather ‘drama’ of picking the probables without holding a single match in order to accommodate ‘blue eyed’ as per the custom of JKCA.
Sources said that after a rift between the office bearers of the Association, the Jammu boys were made to flee to Srinagar for securing berth in the probables list, with a promise that the selections will be made on the basis of performance in the trial matches, adding that after holding nets for a few days, the Association has shortlisted 18 probables for Ranji Trophy and 16 plus 3 stand bys for Under-23 team.
Sources further said that some boys, who were not even part of the camp at Srinagar as also those who were not part of the shortlist published earlier, but had good contact with selectors and administrators, have made it to the shortlist of probables, adding that those whose patrons have voting right, which presently suits the working quorum with regard to nullifying the tactics of the other faction, also fit the bill in the list of probables.
“The best way to pick players of your choice, rather to select your favourites and friends is to hold nets and avoid matches. You need a magic wand to make proper selection of players after holding just a few days nets. Expecting a selector making justice to his job by picking players in nets only is simply to cry for the moon, rather to flog a dead-horse. Holding no matches is the mantra to select blue-eyed,” said a cricket coach, expressing anonymity while talking to EXCELSIOR.
Sources added that shifting of the boys from Jammu to Srinagar was ‘free for all’ affair as lot of players, who otherwise had gone for a joyride, were also accommodated in the list and provided all the facilities.
Experts believe that this way of selecting probables not only makes way for quota, but also mars talent and satisfies sinister designs of those who are against the sanctity and spirit of this gentleman’s game.
When contacted and asked about the selection of the probables, chairman of selection committee, Ashinder Koul said, “We have tried to pick the best possible list of probables. We could not organize matches because of inclement weather conditions and lack of time. Selectors can not please everybody”.
Former ace cricketer, under whose supervision the nets were held said that he was not part of the selection committee and his job was just to provide ample opportunity to all of them to showcase their talent.
Meanwhile, the Jammu province probables selected for Ranji Trophy camp included Ian Dev Singh, Hardeep Singh, Aditya Pratap, Rohit Bhat, Bandeep Singh, Veemarsh Kaw, Dhruv Mahajan, Ravi Pandita, Ramdayal, Sahil Sharma, Raman Dutta, Manik Gupta, Vijay Dogra, Sahil Bhalwal, Manish Dogra, Gokul Baru, Inderjeet Singh and Saurav Chopra.
The Under-23 probables included Sidharth Magotra, Jasvinder Singh, Pranav Mahajan, Paras Sharma, Shubham Khajuria, Jatin Wadhawan, Ashwani Bhat, Amrit Pal Singh, Gaurav Khajuria, Sandeep Singh, Rohit Sharma, Soumay Jain, Vishwajeet Singh, Shiv Dutt, Deepak Manhas and Deepak Dogra, while the stand bys included Nawaz-Ul-Munir, Mayank Gautam and Gurdeep Singh.

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