MS Dhoni has no say in cricketing affairs of home state JSCA

MS Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, doesn’t have much of a say in the cricketing affairs of his home state, Jharkhand. The same is owing to the membership rules of the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA). Dhoni was given an honorary membership without voting rights. The type of JSCA membership determines who can be a part of the decision making and has voting rights in elections.

The BCCI COA doesn’t allow current international players to vote. Only former international and first-class cricketers can vote in their respective home state elections. JSCA members are voting on Sunday, September 22, to elect a new set of office-bearers, who would pick a representative to vote in the BCCI elections on October 22. The 38-year-old Dhoni isn’t a life member of the JSCA.

The veteran Dhoni is among the 11 persons who “…rendered distinctive service to the cause of sports in general and cricket in particular…” as per the new JSCA constitution. The old constitution says that honorary members  “shall have no right to vote in any meetings of the Association”.

Last time also, some people had raised this issue

On the other hand, it has been learned that some current first-class cricketers have been made life members along with the right to vote. Ajay Nath Shah Deo, who has been elected JSCA vice-president as there was no opposition to him, said Dhoni’s issue was raised, but it didn’t progress.

“Three years ago, there was a selection done and at the time he was [made] an honorary member only and at the time as well he had not voted [as he had no voting rights]. Last time also, some people had raised this issue. But for the JSCA members as well as MSD, this has never been an issue,” Deo was quoted as saying while speaking to Outlook.

“At the last AGM, they were taken in as life members the last time and Dhoni as honorary member. At that time, nobody thought he [Dhoni] would not be able to vote or something,” he added.

Dhoni can contribute so much in improving cricket in Jharkhand

In the meantime, Dhoni’s supporters reckon that it’s a well thought out tactic to deny the cricketer the voting rights. An individual member of the JSCA, who’s also a die-hard Dhoni fan, lashed out at Amitabh Chaudhary, the acting secretary of the BCCI, for not giving attention to the JSCA. The member believes that Dhoni’s contribution would be immense if made a life member.

“The outgoing dispensation led by Amitabh Choudhary is responsible for this mess. Honorary members are ornamental. They are not concerned with day-to-day affairs of the JSCA and they are not supposed to; they are big shots and are too busy in their own fields.

They don’t contribute much to the JSCA’s decision making and regular activities. If Dhoni is made a ‘life member’, he can contribute so much in improving cricket in Jharkhand,” the member stated.

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