Srinagar: With J&K Cricket Association(JKCA) barring local J&K cricketers from playing in local T20 events, its Sub Committee member Mithun Manhas in a clear act of double standards continues his sojourn in cash rich IPL.
Manhas is former Delhi Ranji Trophy cricketer has been part of Gujarat Titans in IPL as Assistant Coach from last couple of seasons. The former Delhi Cricketer recently posted pic on his Twitter handle announcing his arrival in the squad for the IPL 2023 season.
“And so it begins #aavade #IPL2023 @gujarat_titans,” Manhas Tweeted with the pic.
Gujarat Titans has Ashish Nehra as head coach, Mithun Manhas as assistant coach, Narender Negi as another assistant coach and Gary Kristen as Batting coach and mentor.
Apart from IPL T20, Manhas last season was part of another T20 format league while at the same time has restricted (barred later banned) local cricketers from playing in local T20 leagues.
The three member sub-committee with Manhas being prominent strictly barred local cricketers from playing in local T20 leagues. Those who played were not included in Talent Hunt Tournament conducted by JKCA. Even coaches who were part of local T20 events were barred.
Not only players but JKCA even didn’t allow organizers to conduct T20 format leagues in J&K. Those who approached for the permission were encouraged to conduct 50 over format events otherwise permission wouldn’t not be granted.Most of those who seeked permission went ahead with T20 format meaning top cricketers missed participation while some totally didn’t conducted events.
JKCA Committee particularly its member cricket affairs gives logic of degrading standards of cricket in J&K due to T20 format. Ironically J&K this season suffered its worst defeat in Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Format.
T20 is now set format for which teams have to be prepared and backed fully. Our J&K team went into T20 format on the back of long format tournament. That resulted in J&K getting hammered this season in T20 format.
The most important point in all this is that one who preaches and sets these rules for local cricketers who have no other medium to channelise their energies during season is himself part of T20 leagues.
Instead of leading by example the individual has been continuously earning huge contracts in these leagues while as barring local J&K cricketers from playing local T20 cricket. And if they participate in local events, then they aren’t part of JKCA process.
“Clear case of double standard and hypocrisy. Mr. Manhas should have led by example. First this is nonsense decision and discrimination with our local talent. However, if he is so honest and has vision, then he should have left his own IPL contracts. He shouldn’t be part of T20 events till he is in JKCA,” said a former JKCA official.
“As an office bearer who earns salary from JKCA , this individual or any other individual can’t take liberty in playing with the careers of our cricketers while themselves enjoying cash rich short stints in IPL,” he added.
A top cricketer who found himself at the receiving end of this JKCA decision last year said who will now ban Manhas.
“I want to ask JKCA comittee members and former cricketers who are with this set up this question. How you are justifying this. How can you go with this. You are destroying careers of young talent while your king is enjoying big money IPL contract,” said top cricketer who wished anonymity.
“Manhas is outsider who all his life played for Delhi except one year for J&K. He has no love for J&K and knows nothing about J&K. Whatever wrong is happening in JKCA its all blame goes to these former cricketers who are enjoying patronage of this current set up. It is they who are responsible for destroying careers of our talented cricketers,” he added.
Another former cricketer said that if this season JKCA uses this excuse of T20 cricket again, then they should first bar ots own member.
“Rules should be for all.Same yardstick should be employed for all. If they bar us, they should bar Mr Manhas as well. He isn’t the only member in JKCA and other members should raise this question. We know former cricketers who are enjoying their perks willn’t question ,” said a player.