IPL 2023: J&K Cricket Association(JKCA) recently barred their local J&K cricketers from taking part in local T20 events. But in clear disregard of this diktat, JKCA Sub Committee member Mithun Manhas continues his partnership with the cash-rich IPL. Manhas is a former Ranji Trophy cricketer who represented Delhi. He has been a part of Gujarat Titans as an Assistant Coach since the team was founded. The former Delhi Cricketer recently announced his arrival in the squad for the upcoming IPL 2023 season. Follow IPL 2023 Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
And so it begins #aavade #IPL2023 @gujarat_titans pic.twitter.com/sXJo9vsuN2
— Mithun Manhas (@MithunManhas) March 22, 2023
Apart from IPL, Manhas was a part of another T20 format league last season when JKCA restricted and later banned local cricketers from playing in local T20 leagues.
JKCA Guidelines for local players
Those who particiapted in a local t20 league were not included in Talent Hunt Tournament conducted by JKCA. Even coaches who were part of a local T20 event were barred.
JKCA didn’t even allow organizers to conduct T20 format leagues in J&K.
JKCA believed that T20 was degrading the standard of cricket in J&K. Unsurprisingly, J&K suffered of its worst defeat in Syed Mushtaq Ali T20.
Frustration from anonymous J&K sources
“Clear case of double standard and hypocrisy. Mr. Manhas should have led by example. First this is nonsense decision and discrimination with our local talent. However, if he is so honest and has vision, then he should have left his own IPL contracts. He shouldn’t be part of T20 events till he is in JKCA,” said a former JKCA official to Kashmir Sports Watch.
“As an office bearer who earns salary from JKCA , this individual or any other individual can’t take liberty in playing with the careers of our cricketers while themselves enjoying cash rich short stints in IPL,” he added.
A top cricketer who was at the receiving end of this JKCA decision last year said will anyone ban Manhas now.
“I want to ask JKCA comittee members and former cricketers who are with this set up this question. How you are justifying this. How can you go with this. You are destroying careers of young talent while your king is enjoying big money IPL contract,” said top cricketer who wished anonymity to KSW.
“Manhas is outsider who all his life played for Delhi except one year for J&K. He has no love for J&K and knows nothing about J&K. Whatever wrong is happening in JKCA its all blame goes to these former cricketers who are enjoying patronage of this current set up. It is they who are responsible for destroying careers of our talented cricketers,” he added.
A former cricketer said that if JKCA uses this excuse of T20 cricket again, then they should first bar its own committee members.
“Rules should be for all.Same yardstick should be employed for all. If they bar us, they should bar Mr Manhas as well. He isn’t the only member in JKCA and other members should raise this question. We know former cricketers who are enjoying their perks willn’t question,” said a player.
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