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The unfortunate misuse of power and influence in Indian cricket isn’t new. Influential fathers wanting their sons to play cricket at any cost isn’t new to India. But forcefully making a person play in a state run T20 league match by using his office is a one of kind story.
Sources told CricBlogger that when the coach of a state-run team told one of his players that he isn’t good enough to be in the XI, he was detained by police for questioning and later released.
When the cricketer was thoroughly exposed in one match that he played, things came under control. “This sort of practice is bad for the game and should be exposed. The father detained the coach to make his son play in the T20 state-run league but the player was thoroughly exposed. He was dropped after just one match ” the source said.
While parental involvement in their children’s sporting careers is common, crossing ethical lines to manipulate opportunities is a growing concern. Such instances, when they come to light, not only undermine the integrity of the sport but also create unfair disadvantage for other deserving players who work hard to earn their spots on merit.
This issue speaks of the broader challenge in cricket administration, where favouritism and nepotism can sometimes overshadow talent and merit. The involvement of state associations, cricket academies, and private leagues often creates spaces where undue influence can occur.
Addressing this requires a stronger focus on transparency, fairness in selection processes, and accountability within cricket governance to ensure that young cricketers succeed on their abilities and not on their connections.
State-run leagues are primarily designed to provide a platform for young and talented cricketers to showcase their skills and gain exposure. These leagues are crucial for identifying future stars and ensuring that deserving players, regardless of their background, get opportunities to progress in their careers.
When the focus shifts away from merit and opportunities are handed to less-talented players through favouritism, it defeats the entire purpose of such leagues. This not only demotivates hardworking youngsters but also dilutes the quality of competition, making it harder for genuinely talented players to emerge.
Ensuring a merit-based selection process, free from influence or nepotism, is vital to preserving the integrity of these leagues. Regular scrutiny and transparency in how teams are selected can help safeguard the core objective—promoting the next generation of cricketers based on talent and hard work, not connections or influence.
