Rajasthan Cricket Association bows to Deepak Hooda's demand

JAIPUR: The issue of team selection has sparked internal conflict between Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) ad hoc committee and captain Deepak Hooda . What became the point of contention was the committee's stance on Hooda’s choice of players, particularly Kunal Singh Rathore who was left out of the team for the fourth match.

Displeased with the 16-member squad announced on late Monday evening, Hooda and vice-captain Deepak Chahar resigned from their positions. As the situation took a more serious turn, the management was forced to beat a hasty retreat and conceded to Hooda’s demand by including Rathore in the squad on the eve of their Elite Group B Ranji Trophy match against Hyderabad at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Wednesday.

It has been learnt that Hooda communicated to the management that he is unwilling to lead the side but he was requested by the ad hoc panel to continue at least for the game against Hyderabad.

“The senior players disapproved of certain players and it has been learnt that the squad released was not the same as it was discussed by the selectors and the captain. There are a few names which have made a back door entry in the squad and that did not go down well with the senior players. It's a good sign that this time all the seniors have raised their voice against such corrupt practices which are not new at the RCA. I hope Hooda and Chahar continue as the captain and as the vice-captain and the matter is addressed by the state sports minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore,” said a source privy to the development.

Ad hoc committee member Dharmveer Singh Shekhawat denied receiving resignation from both Hooda and Chahar.”Nothing like this happened. Yes, Rathore was not included in the official squad because he doesn’t have any performance to show. So we thought of giving another wicketkeeper batsman Rajkumar Saini a chance who has done well in the Challenger Trophy and Colvin Shield,” he said.

Shekhawat added that on Hooda’s request they added Rathore back as the skipper did not want to experiment with any player at this stage of the tournament.

“Hooda told us that the fourth game is a crucial one and he can’t afford to bring in a new batsman. He added that he won’t be able to captain the side if his choice of players are not there. Hooda also said that he is looking for stability in the side. I feel he is right in his thinking,” Shekhawat stated.

Ad hoc panel coordinator Jaideep Bihani also cited lack of runs to justify initial exclusion of Rathore from the squad.

Moreover, a similar story unfolded in the previous match against Gujarat when middle-order batsman Salman Khan failed to find a place in the squad, but was later included after the captain’s insistence.

The entire functioning of the RCA ad hoc panel also reflects poorly on the selection committee which is apparently being arm-twisted by ‘the people at the higher level’.

In this backdrop, how the team will gather itself to face Hyderabad will be interesting to see. Rajasthan are currently placed fourth in their group with 10 points that includes two draws and a solitary win.

Squad: Deepak Hooda (captain),Deepak Chahar (vice-captain), Mahipal Lomror, Bharat Sharma, Abhijeet Tomar, Ram Mohan Chauhan, Kanhaiya Lal Swami, Ajay Singh Kookna, Arafat Khan, Aniket Choudhary, Zuber Ali, Rajesh Bishnoi (Junior), Shubham Garhwal, Sahil Dewan, Rajkumar Saini, Rajveer Singh and Kunal Singh Rathore.