The cricketers from Arunachal Pradesh find themselves in the lurch as the state is yet to conduct selection trials for the Vijay Hazare Trophy. While the players have no idea when the trials will be held for the tournament – which begins on September 19 – Arunachal Pradesh Cricket Association secretary Koli Tado told Sportstar that the trials will be held in Itanagar on September 5.
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With no grounds available, the players have no other options but to practice in marshy land in the terrains of Nyorch, some 15km away from Naharlagun. With no proper facilities available, some of the senior cricketers have come forward to prepare a makeshift wicket.
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That’s not all. A nearby bush is used as a changing room. Without any lockers or cupboards, the cricketing gear is simply dumped on one corner of the ground.
Incessant rain often brings out snakes and other insects as spectators. Potholes and puddles threaten the safety of the players. But focused on the upcoming Ranji Trophy, the players take it all in their stride and keep their eyes on the ball.
“We have complained about it to the association many a times, but that has yielded no result,” Sandeep Thakur, one of the players, told Sportstar.
The state association, however, blames it on the lack of grounds. “We don’t have any qualified coaches in the state. That’s a major problem. We are trying to sort out the ground issues,” Tado said.
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Now, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India appointing Gursharan Singh as the coach for the season, the Arunachal Pradesh players are hoping that things will improve. “A good coach can guide us properly. If you are competing with other sides, it is important to have someone who can help the players,” Song-tacho, a senior batsman said, adding, “But most importantly, we need a proper ground to practise.”
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