Rajasthan players face uncertainty

OUR PREPARATIONS HAVE TAKEN A SERIOUS BEATING. BUT WE STILL WANT TO PARTICIPATE

VINEET SAXENA, Rajasthan player

MUMBAI: With barely a month to the start of the domestic season, Rajasthan find themselves in similar territory. While most states are on the verge of announcing their squads for the season, Rajasthan players are in a limbo because of a legal order.

Last year, the BCCI had suspended the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) soon after the Lalit Modi faction wrested control and later another faction headed by Amin Pathan had dethroned the Modi faction. Ever since, the matter is pending in court. The BCCI took charge of the team following a Rajasthan High Court order last year, but since the order has lapsed, both the Board and players are in a state of confusion.

Without a fresh order, the BCCI has expressed its inability to intervene. Similarly, the players who played under the banner ‘Team Rajasthan’ last year have nobody to turn to as the RCA has been disbanded. “Last year, at least there was a selection committee, and the selection of probables for various groups was taken care of. This year, there is no selection panel nor have trials taken place. So, it’s confusing at the moment. Unless the players approach the court again and appeal for an order that says a similar arrangement be made till the RCA matter is resolved, Rajasthan’s participation is in doubt,” said a senior BCCI official.

“We had approached the BCCI secretary stating our fate. A court order was to be delivered by the end of August, which hasn’t come yet. We don’t know who to turn to,” said Ranji player Dishant Yagnik.