Newindpress

Hyderabad, Aug 23: The seven Hyderabad cricketers on Wednesday blamed faulty selection policy and uncertainty of their places in the Ranji Trophy team which forced them to join the Indian Cricket League (ICL).

Speaking at a crowded press conference, the seven cricketers - P Kaushik Reddy, D Vinay Kumar, Ambati Rayudu, Ibrahim Khaleel, Indra Sekhar Reddy, Alfred Absolom and Shashank Nag, said the Hyderabad Ranji team plays for one player.

“There have been quite a few instances which forced us to take this step and nothing more than the feeling that we are being forced to bat, bowl and field for one man: Arjun Yadav,” they said.

“Someone like Vinay, who had the highest aggregate didn't get to play Duleep Trophy. He was also the highest scorer in India in Ranji ODI tournament but he never got anywhere, but a player with the highest score of 35 made it to the Deodhar side. Ibrahim Khaleel scored back-to-back centuries but still was not sure of a place in the team,” said Kaushik, who spoke on behalf of the players.

“I was the second highest wicket-taker the season before last, but never went anywhere; Indra Sekhar Reddy never missed a game (he was in the 16 for the last seven seasons) and spent 33 matches among reserves,” he said.

The 22-year-old fast bowler also said there were instances of coach calling and blackmailing players not to perform. “Rajesh Yadav, who was the coach then, even barged into my room in an inebriated condition in the middle of the night and abused me the day before the Ranji semifinal against at Delhi.”

The rebels also questioned the selection of Yuveraj (son of Rajesh Yadav) in the KSCA and Buchi Babu tournaments with ordinary performances. “Yuveraj gets selected ahead of capable off-spinners like Amol (Shinde) and Shiv Shankar.”

Kaushik said, “It's sad that eight players from the XI have walked out when a national selector happens to be from Hyderabad, for that matter they have not been able to promote one Hyderabad youngster after Laxman.”

Rayudu felt the ICL was a good platform as it gives an opportunity to play with the likes of Lara, Inzamam-ul-Haq. “I didn't want to miss the opportunity to test my skill and I'm sure rubbing shoulders with international players will be an experience to cherish,” he said.

Vinay and Absolom said they opted for ICL purely for professional reasons. Khaleel felt it was a good opportunity. Left arm spinner Indra Sekhar Reddy said he was never sure of a place in the team.

“Lack of coordination among the HCA members affected the team badly and we had little choice. It was so bad that I was contemplating on a move to another state had this ICL offer not come up.”

The players said although they have been banned from playing at the HCA grounds, they would practise at private clubs. “We need not depend on HCA facilities to train and practise. We have the private clubs and the Lal Bahadur Stadium.”

There will be a camp to begin with in Chennai from Aug 30 to Sept 20, followed by the Twenty20 and a 50-over tourney, which is in the pipeline.