Rifts in between Saurashtra Cricket Association apparent for everyone to see

The two factions of Saurashtra Cricket Association have locked horns against each other with the body headed by Mahendra Rajdev lashing out at former cricketers Karsav Ghavri’s outburst against the recognition of the players’ association and alleged embezzlement of power by SCA lynchpin Niranjan Shah.

In a scathing letter to the Supreme Court appointed Committee of Administrators (CoA) on September 4, Ghavri cited out Rajdev’s dual role is in conflict with the objective of forming player associations, in regards to the proposed administrative reforms in Indian cricket. Prakash Bhatt, the secretary of Association of Cricketers of Saurashtra, expressed shock at Ghavri’s outbreak at the players’ body and its head Rajdev.

With Saurashtra already having two registered player associations, the SCA’s governing body on May 27, recognised Rajdev-led association. It led to Ghavri objecting against the move to the CoA. With the proposed reforms making it mandatory for a players’ association to be formed and a male and female representative each to be inducted into the governing body of the BCCI as well as its affiliated units, multiple state associations have started selectively recognising player bodies that are in alignment with the state body.

Letter to CoA by Ghavri and Bhatt

“We have always welcomed to our association Mr Ghavri and others who claim to have separate players association. It is surprising to see Mr. Ghavri alleging Mr Rajdev, whereas Mr Ghavri had his cricketing career mostly from Mumbai. It is very positive that Mr Rajdev has been a member of Saurashtra Cricket Association Governing Body and has always been well-representing players of Saurashtra,” wrote Prakash Bhatt according to SportstarLive.

“I plead to the CoA to put in place a robust and fair process by which independent and proactive players’ bodies be formed around the country. If it is left to the state unit to recognise the players’ body of their choice, the SC order’s purpose of giving cricketers a say in administration will be defeated,” penned down Ghavri in the letter to CoA.