Sarandeep Singh was a surprised man yesterday when umpire Sanjeev Rao called the former India off-spinner for chucking during Himachal Pradesh's Ranji Trophy tie against Mumbai. 
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Oh chuck? Former India off-spinner Sarandeep Singh was called for chucking during the Mumbai-HP Elite division Ranji Trophy Encounter at MCA's Bandra-Kurla Complex facility yesterday. Pic/Nimesh Dave</td></tr></tbody></table>Though the Board of Control for Cricket in India had found his action suspect, he was cleared at the National Cricket Academy before the start of the season and Sarandeep had never been called for chucking in his 11-year first-class career. Chucking has been a major menace in Indian cricket for some time and this season onwards, the BCCI has given umpires freedom to call any player with an illegal action if they are absolutely certain about it. Such has been the effect of this instruction that in just a few Ranji Trophy rounds, several bowlers apart from Sarandeep have already been called or stopped from bowling, including seasoned campaigners like Kulamani Parida and Rajesh Pawar. If a bowler is called twice for chucking in a game, he cannot bowl again until his action is cleared. While players and coaches appreciate BCCI's effort to curb chucking, they believe that this is not the way to go about things. "From square leg, it's not always possible to accurately judge if a bowler's action is illegal or not. There is a specific software to check the 15 degree bend now and the umpire can easily go and check the videos in the evening and inform the captain that the bowler cannot bowl from the next day," said Himachal Pradesh coach Rajdeep Kalsi. "But to call a bowler purely on the basis of one's judgement might not always be accurate and stopping someone one from bowling can have a huge impact on the morale of the bowler as well as the outcome of a match," Kalsi adds. Sarandeep is Himachal's key bowler and Mumbai skipper Wasim Jaffer would probably be glad if he does not bowl in the game as it will help them push for victory. But, Jaffer believes there is need for a different approach. "Chucking has to stop so it's good that BCCI is taking steps towards it. But I don't know whether it's good to call a bowler who has played for India and has been bowling without any questions being raised over his action since such a long time. "I think such stern measures should be adopted in junior cricket." Jaffer and Sarandeep were teammates on India's 2001-02 tour of West Indies. Former international umpire Piloo Reporter agrees. "This is not the way to go about it. If chucking has to be stopped, it has to be at the grass root level. We need to make sure that juniors stay away from this menace and if they do, then the game will automatically be much more cleaner," Reporter said.

Sarandeep Singh was a surprised man yesterday when umpire Sanjeev Rao called the former India off-spinner for chucking during Himachal Pradesh's Ranji Trophy tie against Mumbai.

Mixed reactions to chucker chakkar!

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Mixed reactions to chucker chakkar!

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