JOIN USBharadwaj, Jeshwant get raw deal
In what can only be termed a shabby treatment of a former Test cricketer, Vijay Bharadwaj was unceremoniously replaced as a batting consultant for under-16 boys who are currently undergoing training at the National Cricket Academy here.
Along with Bharadwaj, former Karnataka skipper K Jeshwant’s appointment as batting coach for the zonal cricket academy in Indore too has been revoked without assigning any reason. The Board of Control for Cricket in India had sent a letter on May 2 appointing Bharadwaj for the consultant’s post for 45 days from May 5 to June 15.
Having confirmed his availability for the camp, Bharadwaj was on his way to NCA on May 4 to prepare a training chart when he received another e-ail cancelling his appointment. The incident hasn’t gone down well with former KSCA president Anil Kumble who has shot off a letter to Ratnakar Shetty, BCCI General Manager Game Development.
“It’s not that I had approached the BCCI for the assignment,” said an upset Bharadwaj who is a Level III certificate holder in coaching. “I hadn’t taken up any coaching job with the NCA for the last three years because I was part of KSCA
administration and was also involved with the Royal Challengers Bangalore.
As I was free this time, the BCCI asked me if I could take up the coaching job. I had replied confirming my availability also but just two days prior to the commencement of the camp, I got another e-mail informing about my replacement. There was no reason assigned and none was given when asked,” Bharadwaj pointed out.
The letter, addressed to KSCA secretary, clearly says Bharadwaj is to be informed to report at NCA on May 5 but it did not happen, Bharadwaj alleged. “Next thing I hear from KVP Rao (Manager, Game Development BCCI) is that I have been replaced.”
“I was shocked when BCCI informed me on May 2 that I have been replaced by another coach. The board refused to disclose reasons for cancelling my appointment,” said Jeshwant, a former Karnataka allrounder. “Coaching is my profession and I was delighted when BCCI sent me the e-mail. I even booked air tickets to Indore. Then came the second message. The BCCI even refused to divulge the name of the coach who replaced me,” added Jeshwant.
Kumble termed the episode as disturbing. “This is not the way to treat a former Test cricketer. I have written a letter to Prof Shetty and have told him ‘as a former player, it disturbs me that a Test cricketer is treated in this manner.’ I’m going to meet (BCCI interim president) Mr Shivlal Yadav and convey him my disapproval,” he said.