Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU, Feb 21: Brushing aside the politics over favouritism in selection of talented Jammu and Kashmir cricketer Parvez Rasool in the national side, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has rightly tweeted, “Parvez Rasool should play for team India when the selectors think he deserves to be there, don’t destroy everything he has worked this way”.
“It is insulting to Parvez and his entire life long effort and it is insulting to the people of Kashmir who don’t need artificially created icons,” Omar said.
It is pertinent to mention here that certain media said that with an eye on defusing the tense political situation in the State and building a local icon, Indian Government is understood to be pushing for promising Rasool to be fast-tracked to the national side, adding that such a move is exceedingly popular in Kashmir valley, where cricket has a huge resonance.
Meanwhile, when contacted, former India Test Captain and chief coach, Jammu and Kashmir Ranji trophy team, Bishen Singh Bedi said that if Parvez plays for India, he will play on his merit as he is immensely talented and there is no need to bat for him, adding that he has grit and guts to bat for himself and it was his performance in Ranji trophy this season that fetched him a berth in India (A) and Board President’s XI sides.
“How humiliating is it that politics is being played on a cricketer who has scalped 33 wickets and 600 runs in this season’s Ranji trophy, besides scoring over 1000 runs and taking 46 wickets in Under-17 cricket. Moreover, the visiting Australians too found his off-spin too hot to handle, as playing for Board President’s XI in a 2-day warm up tie, Rasool captured 7/45 in his 28.3 overs,” said a cricket coach while talking to EXCELSIOR.
Presently, Rasool is representing Jammu and Kashmir in Vijay Hazare trophy and producing fabulous performances, with 3/48 in 12 overs against Haryana along with 47 runs and 2/28 in 6 overs against formidable Punjab including the wicket of Yuvraj Singh and 34 off 32 balls.
“With such performances at his belt, Rasool does not need undue favour from any corner. So, talking about Government favouring him is simply rubbish,” said a cricket enthusiast while expressing anguish over the reports in certain media.
For that matter, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has rightly tweeted, “Of all the hair brained stupid ideas to now suggest that Parvez Rasool had to be foisted on the Indian Cricket Team is deeply insulting”.
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