MUMBAI: Mumbai Cricket Association treasurer Jagdish Achrekar and former MCA secretary PV Shetty have questioned Musheer Khan's omission from the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team for the first two matches, which was announced by the selectors on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the 16-year-old left-arm spinning allrounder, continuing his tremendous form, took six for 61 to bowl Mumbai to an six-wicket win over Haryana in a do-or-die game, ensuring them a place in the pre-quarterfinals of the Cooch Behar Trophy (for Under-19) at the Kandukuri Cricket Academy in Vizag. He thus finished the match with impressive figures of 10-135 (4-74 & 6-61), besides scoring a valuable 66 in the first innings. So far, the prodigious teenager has taken 28 wickets and scored 307 runs in five matches to play a pivotal role in Mumbai Colts reaching the knockouts of the tournament.
In an e-mail (TOI has a copy) to MCA president Vijay Patil on Thursday, Achrekar wrote: "While going through the Ranji squad for the first two games, I noticed that the selectors have missed on Musheer whose performance in all senior tournaments in this year has been extraordinary. The initial thought which came to my mind was that the selectors may not be willing to disturb the combination of the U-19 team by shifting Musheer to the higher level. But to my surprise, name of one of his counterparts who is currently representing along with Musheer in the Cooch Behar trophy is appearing in the Ranji squad."
Achrekar felt that the omission would hurt Musheer's confidence. "Sir, you will agree that we have caused a dent to Musheer's psyche by our actions. The psychologist suggested for the senior team may be able to throw some light on this. In our meetings we have healthy discussions about nurturing young talent but the actions of selectors speak otherwise," felt the MCA treasurer has written.
Musheer plays for Shetty's club Payyade Sporting Club in local 'A' Division cricket. "He's performed extremely well with both bat and ball since the past two seasons at all levels. He definitely deserved to be picked for the Mumbai Ranji team this time. Last season, he was the Man of the Tournament in two tournaments - Police Shield and Salarjang Shield, and this year, he was the Man of the Tournament in the Madhav Mantri 'A' Division tournament (305 runs & four wickets in three matches). He has consistently produced fine all-round performances for the Mumbai Under-19 team in the Cooch Behar Trophy. That should have been enough for his selection," said Shetty.
Justifying Musheer's exclusion from the Mumbai Ranji team, Ankola told this paper: "Firstly, this team has only been declared for the first two matches. If some of those players whom we've picked don't perform too well, we can always replace them. The only reason we didn't pick Musheer is that we looked at the brighter side - with Shams Mulani being there, if he's not able to play matches in the Ranji Trophy, it is better that he plays and helps Mumbai in the knockouts in the Cooch Behar Trophy."
Musheer has been playing 'A' Division club cricket for the last four years. "As an MCA secretary, I never interfered in selection. I don't want to criticize the MCA, but I feel that selecting players who do well in club cricket and age group tournaments is important," Shetty stressed. "If you don't pick players who do well in club cricket, players will lose faith and interest in it. I run three clubs which play in the 'A' Division, and Payyade SC is a top team in local cricket. Cricketers these days tell me that why should they waste their time playing club cricket, since no one is watching or considering performances. With all the expenses involved, it's difficult to run a cricket club" he rued.
Even though Musheer is just 16, Shetty felt that it was the right time to "blood him" in the Mumbai Ranji team. "You need to give a youngster a chance when he's 16 or say 19. After 20, the players don't develop their skills," he said.
Brief Scores: Haryana 247 & 183 (Musheer Khan 6-61) lost to Mumbai 373 & 62-4 by six wickets
