Swapnil Asnodkar
Swapnil Asnodkar. (Credits: Rajasthan Royals)

The Indian Premier League has been a breeding ground for many young players. It has paved the way for their selection in the Indian team. In the first season of the tournament, there were quite a few players who made their mark in the tournament but faded out quite fast. Let us recall the 5 ft 2 Rajasthan Royals opener Swapnil Asnodkar. He impressed all and sundry during the inaugural edition of the tournament. However, since the 1st edition, his name was hardly heard again.

The opening batsman recently made headlines. However, it was not in the way he would have liked. The 34-year-old cricketer along with 3 other senior players has been left out from the squad by the Goa Cricket Association. The likes of Shadab Jakati, Saurabh Bandekar and Amit Yadav have been omitted from the pre-season camp. The GCA feels that there is no room for old players who are not fit and not in form. It was learnt from a report in the Sportstar.

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Goa Cricket Association Drops Senior Players on the Basis of Form and Fitness

Goa has performed poorly in the Ranji format 

Goa has performed quite poorly in the Ranji Trophy in the recent past. They finished at the bottom of the table last year. They finished 6th in the group stage. The seniors were the targets. Several young players have been included by the board who are fit and raring to go. The skipper of the side, Sagun Kamat despite reaching 35 has kept his place in the squad.

The GCA secretary Daya Pagi stated that the age of the player doesn’t matter. A person must be fit and in form to get selected in the squad. The reports also claimed that the senior players were already briefed about the same.

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“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 senior players differed with the GCA. He said that it was more than mere fitness and form. Jakati and Asnodkar have played well in the domestic circuit. However, their decision to drop them was pretty startling.

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