Nilesh Kulkarni is miffed at being ignored by National CC for the Kanga League in spite of 20 years' service
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A lot of former cricketing greats including Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar both one-club men throughout their career have expressed genuine concerns over the increasing trend among youngsters to switch clubs citing professionalism.
But, loyalty, sometimes is not rewarded these days.
Nilesh Kulkarni, the former Test player and Mumbai captain, has been a loyal National Cricket Club player for almost two decades. And after being sidelined by the Mumbai selectors for the better part of last two seasons, the left-arm spinner was also ignored by National CC for this year's Kanga League, which kicked off on Sunday after the initial three rounds were washed out.
Long service
"I have always been loyal to one club for the last 20 years and I am registered (at MCA) only with National. What more commitment can anyone ask for?
"Everyone is talking about the lack of loyalty and commitment, but I have proven my loyalty. It's disappointing not to get a call from them especially since the club has been relegated from Division A to B. It's shocking for a player when his club doesn't make use of his services," an upset Kulkarni told MiD DAY yesterday.
National Cricket Club's head coach Sudhir Naik said Kulkarni hadn't made himself available for Sunday's match.
Naik's defence
"He (Kulkarni) had some assignment, so he wasn't available for us. Whenever he is available, we will utilise his services," Naik said.
A stunned Kulkarni responded by saying: "I had always made myself available but never got a call from anyone at National. I don't know what the strategy is of the concerned authorities at National but it's always disappointing not to play any matches.
"When the club doesn't support you, it gets even more disappointing."
Left-arm spinners have always made a huge impact in the history of Kanga League, with Padmakar Shivalkar, the current chairman of MCA's senior selection committee, being one of the highest wicket-takers.
Left-armer Rajesh Pawar, another seasoned first-class cricketer, was in National's squad but was sidelined with an injury.
And as Kulkarni wondered whether he would get an opportunity to prove his fitness and skills to selectors Shivalkar and Co before they name the Mumbai probables for the coming domestic season, it's time for the city cricket fraternity to wonder whether this is the way to treat former internationals.
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