Incidentally, Shishir Hattangadi resigned as a selector when the team picked for the Buchi Babu tournament in 2009 was changed
Shishir Hattangadi
Setting a wrong precedent will cost Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) dear and Mumbai will struggle to get selectors in future, warned former Mumbai captain and selector Shishir Hattangadi in the light of the current controversy wherein a cricket official of an affiliated club has raised the issue of selectors not watching local matches.
"Firstly, I didn't approve of the sacking of the last selection committee [headed by Milind Rege] and coach [Chandrakant Pandit]. They were doing well enough, but did anybody then initiate a signature campaign and say you cannot do this? Why are we being selective about things that pertain to the game," asked Hattangadi.
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Incidentally, Hattangadi resigned as a selector when the team picked for the Buchi Babu tournament in 2009 was changed. Recently, Parsee Gymkhana cricket secretary and vice-president Khodadad Yazdegardi accused chief selector Ajit Agarkar and his team of not watching local matches and requested the MCA to call a Special General Meeting, demanding the resignation of Agarkar's committee. Hattangadi felt this issue should be tackled better.
"I hope people are not missing the woods for the trees because the bigger picture is that they will be setting a precedent — right or wrong — if they have the power. Tomorrow, a new committee or somebody else in the next generation will emerge and this will always be looked at as a point of reference. My point is, selectors may make mistakes, they may have a different vision, a different outlook. You can debate that, but you cannot insist on people resigning. If somebody has to resign in such a manner then no one will be interested in doing a selector's job in the future," cautioned Hattangadi.
The solution according to the former stalwart is: "People who are involved should get together and say to the selectors — through the Cricket Improvement Committee that, 'Look, we believe you are not giving enough time and we want you to commit yourselves more'." Hattangadi stressed: "I am not involved in the politics of the game at MCA, but I am certainly a part of a system that wants Mumbai cricket to do well and not become a laughing stock."
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