Salil Ankola distances himself from claims by Rajput, Kulkarni

The Mumbai chief selector has distanced himself from claims that selectors were willing to testify about interference by MCA office-bearers in selection decisions.

Published : Apr 21, 2021 10:42 IST , MUMBAI

Mumbai selector and former India fast bowler, Salil Ankola.
Mumbai selector and former India fast bowler, Salil Ankola.
lightbox-info

Mumbai selector and former India fast bowler, Salil Ankola.

Salil Ankola, the Mumbai chief selector, has distanced himself from the claims that selectors were willing to testify about interference by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) office-bearers in selection decisions.

The claims were made by two of the three members of the Cricket Improvement Committee - Lalchand Rajput and Raju Kulkarni.

“This is to inform about the recent series of allegations made by Cricket Improvement Committee on ‘interference of secretaries in selection process’,” Ankola stated in a statement issued on Monday. “There have been recent media reports on Mr Lalchand Rajput and Mr Raju Kulkarni stating that ‘selectors’ are willing to testify for the interference to the MCA Ombudsman.”

RELATED - Lalchand Rajput seeks reinstatement of his CIC

Ankola, a former India bowler, was referring to the recent complaints filed to the Ombudsman by Lalchand Rajput and Raju Kulkarni. During their complaints challenging the termination of the CIC - the committee is chaired by Rajput and includes Sameer Dighe, Rajput and Kulkarni - they had complained about office-bearers pressurising the selection committee members into selecting Mumbai’s squads for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

“I, as chairman of selection committee for Mumbai Cricket Association, would like to place it on record that I have never spoken to Rajput on the above issue. Neither have I given any consent to testify in front of anyone,” Ankola said.

“As chairman of the selection committee, I have been transparent and always kept Mumbai's interest above anything else.”

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment