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 It is one of those situations where anybody else would close their eyes and say, "Thank God, I am not into this."
Santosh Saxena and Ramesh Powar work for Central Railway and play their cricket for Mumbai. One is a strapping speedster and the other is an upcoming off-spinner. Both have seen tough times and are now on the verge of savouring fruits of their hard work. Both cricketers, many feel, have the requisite potentials of playing for India in the near future.
But there is one problem that could possibly stop them from doing so. And that is their employer, Central Railway. For the past few seasons, Saxena and Powar have represented Mumbai in domestic cricket after Central Railway allowed them to do so.
This year, however, they are reluctant to release the duo. Instead, Central Railway wants Saxena and Powar to play for their team this season. This could be disappointing for them as the Railways team hardly goes the distance in domestic competition (see table below)and it could leave them cooling their heels for the better part of the season.
"When they was nobody to help them, we employed them and gave them a chance. But now, we want them to play for us," argued Srivastava, Central Railway Sports Association's honorary general secretary.
Technically, Shrivastava may sound correct, but having permitted them to play in the previous two seasons, it is strange on their part to put the foot down this time.
If the players go ahead and play for Mumbai, they would be breaching the contract signed prior to joining the Railways. This would also mean that they would have to compensate Central Railway, if taken to court that is, by paying back their salaries and other perks earned so far.
If the players stick to Railways, then they will have to forget their dreams of playing for the country as history is witness, that seldom does a Railway player get a look-in the Indian team.
Obviously Saxena and Powar are well aware of this and hence the reluctance to play for Railways.
"I resigned in May but my resignation is still not accepted by them," said Powar. Shrivastava, however, differed on this. "I heard that he has conveyed his intentions to resign but he still has to do it," he said.
 Saxena is a worried man. "I'm the sole bread earner for my family. They are dependent on me for everything. I want to play for Mumbai as this is a crucial season for me and if I leave my job, I may struggle to make ends meet," he said.
The Mumbai Cricket Association still has to make its stance clear on this. "We can't work on assumptions and presumptions. If it comes to that (Central Railway taking action), we will see. As far as we are concerned, we ask the players for their availability, only if they say yes then they are picked," said Pravin Barve, honorary joint secretary of the Mumbai Cricket Association.
Asked if MCA would support the players, Barve said, "They (Central Railway) haven't asked for anything till now. Let them ask then we will see."
Central Railway, however, have permitted the duo to represent Mumbai in the Irani Trophy. After that, Shrivastava said, "We will see. They can't have their cake and eat it to."
ehteshamh@mid-day.mailserve.net
Railways in Ranji
Over the last four decades, Railways which plays from Central Zone, have produced just three Test cricketers for India. They are: wicket-keeper-cum-batsman Budhi Kundaran (18 Tests from 1059-60 to 1967), middle order batsman Pravin Amre (played Tests from 1992-93 to 1993-94) and 37 one-day matches from 1991-92 to 1993-94) and recently Murali Kartik (a couple of Tests vs South Africa early this year).
Even Railways overall performance in the premier domestic championship Ranji Trophy is mediocre. Under this backdrop, it is fair on Railways part to change players, like Santosh Saxena, who wants to quit the job and play for other teams? Certainly not! Following are year wise details of Railways performance in the Ranji Trophy. | 
