<p>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.<br /><br /></p>.<p>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former Karnataka skipper K Jeshwant’s appointment as batting coach for the zonal cricket academy in Indore too has been revoked without assigning any reason.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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />“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<br /> administration and was also involved with the Royal Challengers Bangalore.<br /> <br />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.<br /><br />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.”<br /><br />“I was shocked when BCCI informed me on May 2 that I have been replaced by another coach.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.<br /><br />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.<br /></p>
<p>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.<br /><br /></p>.<p>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. <br /><br />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. <br /><br />“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<br /> administration and was also involved with the Royal Challengers Bangalore.<br /> <br />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.<br /><br />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.”<br /><br />“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.<br /><br />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.<br /></p>
