rediff.com: Three cricket academy trainees sacked

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has cracked the whip to nip indiscipline in the bud and sacked three cricketers, including two who have turned out for India in Tests, from the list of trainees at the newly-opened National Cricket Academy in Bangalore.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh of Punjab, who has played in Tests, and opener Nikhil Haldipur of Bengal have been "released" from the academy by its director, former Test middle order batsman Hanumant Singh, for falling short in the requirements of discipline and punctuality.

The third, Delhi-based Railways' left-arm spinner Murali Kartik, who made his Test debut in the last home series against South Africa, has been axed because of poor fitness.

A statement from the NCA director on Saturday said he had carried a spate of injuries to the training camp, which commenced on May 1, despite the board's directive that the trainees "should not come with illness or injuries".

"All three are talented cricketers and the action had to be taken with much pain and regret. They have been suitably counseled and there is every hope that with better sense of discipline and commitment, they will serve the nation with distinction in future," Hanumant Singh said.

The three sacked trainees have been replaced by Manish Sharma of Punjab, Nikhil Doru of Rajasthan and Rakesh Dhruv of Saurashtra. The trio will join the academy for the semester starting on June 26.

The statement further emphasised: "No cricketer, however great, should regard himself bigger than the team or the game, much less the country.

"The main aims of the academy are to groom young cricketers with special regard to fitness, athleticism, discipline, proper attitude, team spirit and, above all, pride in representing one's country.

"Unfortunately, individual performances get more weightage in the media than collective performance. Public adulation sweeps the immature cricketer off his feet until proverbially he becomes too big for his boots. Not many Indian cricketers are able to take success with equanimity.

"This malaise, together with the belief that to be a cricketer one need not be an athlete and the inherrent Indian nature to look for an easy way out of every situation has led to poor attitude, a weak mind, lack of professionalism and a complete neglect of the team's interest. This has been the bane of Indian cricket."

Elaborating on his stunning action, the former Test batsman said: "This is an area of major concern for selectors and the Indian team coaches. Without discipline none of these areas can bear fruit. A few individuals can vitiate the whole atmosphere, making the entire exercise non-productive."

Board sources said the three sacked cricketers can now appeal to academy chairman Raj Singh Dungarpur.


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