Goa Cricket Association drops senior players on age and fitness

Remember Swapnil Asnodkar, the man who had impressed in the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) while playing for Rajasthan Royals – the champions that year?

Well, Asnodkar was never heard of again in the IPL since the 2008 edition.

Recently, the man has made the headlines again but not for a happy reason. The 34-year-old, along with other players like Shadab Jakati (37), Saurabh Bandekar (30) and Amit Yadav (29) – have been left out by the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) from the pre-season camp because the GCA feels that there no room for senior players who lack fitness and are out of form, according to a Sportstar report.

The selectors spoke to these players one on one

Goa have not been doing well in Ranji Trophy of late. It ended at the bottom of the table last year while in the season before, it finished sixth in the group stage. This sought an address and the seniors were the easy targets.

The cricket body has now roped in youngsters who are honing their skills under the supervision of coach Prakash Mayekar. However, the captain of the side, Sagun Kamat, has evaded the axe despite being 35, the report mentioned.

When asked, GCA Secretary Daya Pagi clearly said that irrespective of the seniority, a player has to be fit and in touch, adding that the senior players had also been briefed about it earlier, the report added.

“Last year, the selectors spoke to these players one on one. It was also conveyed that without improving their fitness, they won’t be considered for selection,” the secretary was quoted as saying.

The players, however, differed with the GCA’s stand and felt that it was more than mere fitness and form. Asnodkar and Jakati have been performing well in the domestic circuits and yet the decision to get rid of them because of age and form startled many.

Another decision by the GCA to bring in a few players for the season also surprised many since the board was axing its own senior players to make room for senior players from outside.

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