Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association Selector Resigns Due To Interference By Irfan Pathan

Dhruv Mahajan, one of the four selection committee members of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, has resigned from the post in controversial circumstances. Mahajan has alleged that he stepped down from the post due to interference by former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan in the selection process.

Earlier this year, Pathan took the role of player-cum-mentor of the Jammu & Kashmir side for the 2018-2019 domestic season. The 33-year-old had taken the decision after being dropped and removed as Baroda captain after two matches of the 2017-18 domestic season.

And it looks like the situation in his new team is not rosy either. Mahajan pointed out that Pathan has been violating the constitution by interfering too much in selection process.

“I have tendered my resignation. Pathan has been doing a lot of interference in the team selection process which is in violation of the constitution,” Mahajan, former skipper of state Ranji Trophy team, told PTI.

Mahajan said he had submitted his resignation to the JKCA Chief Executive Officer Aashiq Bukhari, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and chief selector, JKCA, Parvez Qaiser.

“I will not let anybody come into my domain,” said the  39-year-old.

“My responsibility is to select the players and we are answerable for the selection process. The selection committee comprises of four members two each from Jammu and Kashmir regions. And one of them is the chief selector,” he added.

Mahajan, who retired from the first-class cricket in February 2015, represented the state for 14 years. He played 48 Ranji Trophy matches and 37 List A matches, scoring over 2,000 runs.

Mahajan further made it clear that Pathan should stick to his role and let the selectors do their job.

“He should concentrate on his job. And not make unnecessary interferences in the job of others. The BCCI constitution has made it amply clear that an individual cannot hold more than two posts and player is also considered as a post.

“Selection committee is there to select the team. And player cum mentor is there to play and mentor the team. He has not played a single match since his appointment,” he said.

Mahajan said he has not received any response from the Chief Executive Officer or anyone else on his resignation so far.

“I have put forward my concerns in my resignation letter and I am hopeful that the issues raised by me are taken note of and addressed,” he said.

Pathan’s association with the state meanwhile ended his 18-year association with Baroda. He had played for Baroda right through his Ranji Trophy career before switching states. He last represented India at the World T20 in Sri Lanka in 2012. At the IPL, he went unsold at the 2017 and 2018 auctions and last played top-level cricket in October 2017.