BASIL SYLVESTER PINTO
PANAJI
One of Goa’s most successful cricketers, all-rounder Shadab Jakati who has fallen out of favour in recent times with the Goa Cricket Association came down heavily at the State administrators in an emotional press conference held in the outskirts of the city on Thursday.
“Goa Cricket Association with Suraj Lotlikar as president has gone to such a low level that there is no selection committee in place and players are selected on his whims and fancies, not based on their performances and skills,” he lashed out.
Speaking on his own exclusion from the side, he revealed that there was no sound explanation given to him after serving his State so well. “I have been playing first class cricket for Goa the last 20 years. I am the highest wicket taker for the State at the Ranji level with 275 wickets in 92 matches. If you see my records, in the recent 3-4 seasons, I have done well for the state with my bowling. Last season, I got to play only three matches, and the last was against Punjab, the toughest in our group and I picked a 5-wicket haul. Despite the fifer, Lotlikar had to state that my performance was not up to the mark as the opposition had scored 500 runs. People who never played cricket helm the affairs at the association and ask me to consider retirement and make way for an U-19 cricketer. My performance was there and fitness too. Yet he chose me to keep me out for the rest of the season,” a pained Jakati said.
“When I strongly objected to calling it a day, he (Lotlikar) got annoyed and told me that I would never play Ranji Trophy again. He even stated that I would not be a part of any IPL team this year. After being dropped after three Ranji matches, only after some media pressure my name was included for the T20s,” Jakati divulged.
“I was deliberately kept out for the one-dayers and T20s so that I do not come up with good performances and come on the radar of any IPL franchise,” he declared.
“Lotlikar treats GCA as his family property. He selects players and coaches as per his personal relationship and not as per their performance or capabilities. Even the U-19 team currently in Hyderabad is without a coach. They even know there is no selection committee in place. GCA Head Coach Prakash Mayenkar has hardly played any cricket. As head coach of the senior team, he has seen his side lose or draw from winning positions. He is serving in the capacity of a head coach only because he is a very close friend of Lotlikar and has nothing got to do with the development of Goan cricketers,” the discarded cricketer stated.
“There have been two professional cricketers brought in, Amit Verma and Mohammad Asaduddin, on what criteria? “Asaduddin is the son of former India captain, Azharuddin. He is 29 years of age, in his prime and has not played a single Ranji or first class match. His last match for the State was way back in 2009, that too for Hyderabad Association Colts XI in the invitational Moin-ud-Dowlah tournament. He even tried to play for Uttar Pradesh and other states but was not given a chance.
Just because he is the son of a former India captain, does it give him an automatic chance to play for Goa? Amit Verma from Karnataka shifts States like anything with his poor performances. If you compare his records with Swapnil Asnodkar and Saurabh Bandekar, they have better performances than that of Verma. He (Verma) has not played any Ranji or First Class match last year. Why is he given a chance to play for Goa? This is how we spoil the names of Goa cricket. Here, in Goa we welcome outstation players from other States to come and play,” the 37-year-old cricketer scoffed.
“Namdev Phadte (seated beside him), has brought Goa on the map of Indian cricket. On my part, by playing the IPL I have brought Goa on the world map. When we Goans go outside Goa to play, others laugh at us. Swapnil Asnodkar and Saurabh Bandekar deserve a chance to play. They are currently performing and keeping to their fitness too,” the Goa all-rounder said.
“Then the team is looking at a professional fast bowler too. We already have Felix Alemao, Lakshay Garg, Ruthvik Naik. Groom them, give them the chance. By bringing these two discarded players from outside Goa, you will lose anyway. Rather, you bring in our Goan players and invest in their talent,” Jakati argued.
Taking a veiled dig at Suraj’s political colours, Jakati asked the GCA President that with him swearing by Goa and Goenkarponn, where has his Goan identity gone. “He (Lotlikar) brings in discarded players from outside the State, rather than giving Goan players the chance. This will not benefit the team,” the 92 first class veteran charged.
“I would be really happy if my own team-mates are given a chance. Even if tomorrow I do not get to play, I do not care. The future of Goan cricket is what I am concerned about. They should be benefitted,” stated an emotional Jakati.
Adv RS Banerjee, who was present as Jakati’s legal advisor said that all legal possibilities are being explored to take necessary action against the GCA. “We may go the High Court while filing the right procedures,” Banerjee said.
Namdev Phadte, felt that injustice was meted out to Jakati given his performances in recent years. “That he is not part of the probables, he will not get to play for this season as a replacement player is chosen from that list itself. In 2016-17, he was the highest wicket-taker for Goa with 41 wickets. And last year against Punjab he picked a five-wicket haul from the three matches he got to play. So I do not know on what basis he has been dropped. I feel with his bowling alone he can play another 2-3 years until around 41 years,” arguably the finest Goan cricketer remarked.
“For the composition of any team there should be a balance of youngsters and the experienced players. I am not personally in favour of bringing in a professional, but if one has to be brought in he should be of merit that could guide the younger players,” he added.
“There is no proper structure at the GCA. The coaches should be sent abroad, return with good skills to provide good education for our promising cricketers,” Phadte stated.
“I am here to support my fellow Goan cricketers, our Goan young players who are victimized by GCA which is going from bad to worse. Cricket is in my soul. I want to provide justice to my Goan cricketers and this is why I have come out to speak,” an emotional Jakati concluded.
