BASIL SYLVESTER PINTO
PANAJI
A star cricketer’s son always comes under a lot of expectations and scrutiny. It has happened in the past too. Rohan Gavaskar moved to Bengal to ply his trade in first class cricket and had the odd appearance at the international level too. Cut to the present, Arjun Tendulkar has a long way to go and is doing his best to prove his credibility after recently making it to the India U-19 grade.
Meanwhile, former India cricket captain, Mohammad Azharuddin once again finds himself in the news with allegations that his offer of free mentoring services to Goa Cricket Association (GCA) teams has given an opportunity to his son, Mohammad Asaduddin -- who doesn’t have any first class experience -- to come to Goa and debut as a professional batsman at 29.
Refuting to the claim, GCA president Suraj Lotlikar and senior side head coach Prakash Mayenkar say in unison that Asaduddin is on trial and would only make it to the State squad subject to performance and fitness at the ongoing camp in Hyderabad.
Out of favour veteran Goa all-rounder Shadab Jakati speaking to The Goan raised a pertinent question -- whether having a father-son in the GCA as mentor and player would raise a conflict of interest situation in the team. Citing an example, the Vasco-based cricketer said Sachin Tendulkar had stepped down from a three-member advisory panel of the India U-19 squad when his son, Arjun got a nod to play for the national colts side.
So The Goan decided to hear the other side of the story -- that of the man at the centre of the controversy. Having just finished a practice match in Hyderabad against a local side on Sunday, Mohammad Asaduddin spoke to this paper on his credence as a cricketer, absence of first class experience notwithstanding.
“Four days back, I joined the Goa Ranji probables camp at Hyderabad and have played two practice matches since against mixed Hyderabad outfits. In the first match for Goa B, I scored 21 and in the other, playing for Goa A I struck an unbeaten 52,” revealed the middle-order batsman.
It is learnt that Goa are playing two mixed teams of Hyderabad that includes players of Ranji, club level experience and U-23 cricketers as well. On their part, Goa has made two teams as well with a few U-19 State players also at a camp in the Deccan city.
On his observations of the Hyderabadi number 4 batsman, head coach Mayenkar stated, “He (Asaduddin) looks good, but there is a long way to go.”
Regarding Jakati’s allegation on bringing a cricketer with no first class experience into the squad, the star cricketer’s son had this to say.
“I do not want to comment on that. I am not allowed to talk more than my performances. I am here to play cricket and not get distracted. I am high on confidence and want to perform well for the Goa team. I want my performances to speak for itself and not focus on what Jakati has to say,” Asaduddin asserted.Azharuddin’s son not getting distracted by Jakati allegations, trains with State players
