Controversy over official’s son hots up

Patel, along with two other zonal selectors, V V Kumar (Tamil Nadu) and O K Ramdas (Kerala), had written to Dungarpur questioning the inclusion of some players in the team while pointing out that several others had been ignored. Dungarpur, in turn, had ridiculed the letter pointing out that several countries had picked players whose fathers were involved in cricket administration. Dungarpurhad also said that none had questioned the inclusion of seven Karnataka players in the national team recently, while dubbing the South Zone selectors’ views as “ridiculous”.

In his rejoinder to Dungarpur’s reported statement, Patel said, “at the outset, I wish to state that your statement that the South Zone selectors’ letter was ridiculous, has caused great pain and anguish in me. We are men of standing in cricket and we have, in our humble way, contributed to the cause of cricket, and we expressed our view to yourself in the hope that remedial action would be taken. I am of the opinion that such statements are not called for”.

Reverting to the case of Madhukar’s inclusion, the letter said, “I am sure that you are aware that Madhukar did not find a place in the South Zone team on account of better performance by others. This issue was discussed at the South Zone selection committee and it was unanimous that Madhukar has to perform further to ensure selection to the South Zone team.”

As per thestatistics provided by Patel, Madhukar has played in 12 Ranji Trophy matches during 1995-97 for 29 wickets, one Deodhar Trophy game in 1996-97 without a wicket, nine Pepsi one-dayers during 1995-97 for six wickets and one Duleep Trophy match in 1997-98 for one wicket.

While reiterating that they had not hinted at Madhukar, the letter stated, “I would like to point out that we had not suggested any name in our letter and the fact you have referred to Madhukar indicates the probable sense of guilt, for which you owe an explanation to the cricketing public.”

The South Zone selectors had named Mumbai’s Abey Kuruvilla and Amol Muzumdar, apart from a few Karnataka players, as the ones who should have been selected. Dungarpur had replied that the selection of Kuruvilla and Muzumdar would have weakened the Mumbai team for the Ranji Trophy matches.