Srinagar: Players were waiting, Players were training, Players were working hard through out the season with the hope to get a chance to show their talent when the time comes, only to get shock of their life when J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) announced list of J&K Senior Cricket team probables for the camp without any matches conducted or selection trials held.
The hopes of hundreds of talented players were dashed with this shock announcement as they were just waiting for a simple chance to prove their talent.
However, it seems the JKCA run by a former Delhi Cricketer, former Military Personal and a senior Lawyer doesnt care for the emotions and aspirations of these talented players.
JKCA without having conducted single match or tournament in a year has straightaway announced probable list of 45 players. JKCA without holding selection trials has went ahead with the probable for the upcoming season.
The announcement followed by intra squad matches in Jammu for the unknown process used shortlisted cricketers means that only their chosen ones would be in contention for the selection in J&K senior men Cricket teams.
Unlike past practice by clubs, followed by CEO led JKCA and last season by this regime as well who conducted matches or trials to select team, this season it has been a total shocker.
Since the end of BCCI domestic cricket season, JKCA hasn’t conducted single match or tournament at any level. The age group players were shortlisted based on online process followed by some shady camp process that raises more questions than provide answers.
Now all eyes were on senior mens cricket team, with some big names with the hope to make comeback in the squad and some unknown faces ready to rise to the occasion.
However, as no matches were held and no selections trials held, those star players who couldn’t make cut last year are left with no hope or chance to make comeback into the team. Also those who wanted to prove their talent in open trials or matches have also not been provided any chance at all.
“This JKCA is turning into a Joke.After a gap of more than 6 months ,it has called set of 45 players for the trial matches. On what basis it has shortlisted players as it held no events or camp at all,” said a former player.
“Before shortlisting probable set of players, JKCA need to conduct either open selection camp or chose players on the basis of tournament performance. It has done none. JKCA doesnt conduct events hence players get no chance to prove themselves. It was hoped that selection trial cum camp would be conducted but it has even bypassed that. Directly shortlisted their chosen ones without any criteria or due process,” he said.
Another former player said that those star cricketers who have previously represented J&K needed to be included in the shortlist.
“There are players who have played for J&K. What will they have to do to make comeback into the team. JKCA doesnt conduct matches, hence performance isn’t the criteria. The only chance or option left for them to make way back into team was to impress selectors in the camp cum trials. JKCA has snatched that chance from them also. So question arises, what will they have do now,” said another former player.
“For youngsters who were eyeing open trials, there dream is totally shattered. It seems this JKCA set up isn’t for players but for few chosen ones. It happens when those who run this JKCA body has got no connection with ground reality,” he added.
Pertinently JKCA has barred its registered players from participating in local tournaments across J&K.
“JKCA has barred players from local tournaments while it itself conduct none. Means it doesnt want our cricketers to play Cricket at all. Contrary to that it has even selected players , God knows on what basis,” said a youngster.
Cricketers have now pinned their hopes on BCCI intervention as it is BCCI that is running JKCA through its administrators.
“Whatever is happening in J&K Cricket and JKCA its all blame goes to BCCI directly as this sub-committee is directly under BCCI control.Careers of J&K cricketers are getting destroyed and no one else but BCCI has to be blamed. There needs to be intervention from BCCI and only they can save J&K Cricket now as this current set up runs this Association like personal property,” said a group of cricketers.
KSW tried to contact JKCA Sub Committee Member Adminstration but got no response. KSW also sent a questionnaire but received no reply at all.