
After Rajiv Nayyar, another Himachal cricketer, Jaswant Rai, has accused HPCA president Anurag Thakur of shunting him out of the state Ranji team in an unfair manner.
8216;8216;In 2001, he offered me a loan of Rs 50,000 against my benevolent fund. I accepted it as I was facing a financial crisis at that moment. However, little did I know that I had to pay a huge price 8212; my place in the team 8212; in return for it. I was replaced by discarded UP player Raza Ali, brought in to the side as a professional, and I was shown the door forever,8217;8217; Rai said today.
PTI adds: Rai, who played in 75 Ranji matches between 1985 and 2000 for Himachal, said Thakur, 8216;8216;due to his influence, managed to play the last match for HP against J038;K in the 2000 season even without giving trials.8217;8217; 8216;8216;Not only this, Anurag also captained the team in the last match against J038;K without even giving a trial,8221; he alleged .
When contacted, Thakur denied the allegations as 8216;8216;baseless8217;8217;. He asked why a player would agree for a waiver of Rs 50,000 8212; as Rai claimed 8212; when he could make Rs 30,000 from a complete Ranji season.