It hasn’t been long since Chief Selector Chetan Sharma shocked the Indian cricket community with some shocking revelations regarding the selection of Indian teams. The former Indian pacer spoke about doping and how players get into the team with fake fitness certificates. He also made claims about his ‘close’ relationship with some Indian players along with the ego clash between former Indian captain Virat Kohli and former Indian Cricket Board president Sourav Ganguly.
However, it remains to be seen what the future holds for Chetan Sharma as an Indian Cricket Board official dismissed the credibility of his comments, according to reports. “Chetan spoke a bit too much. None of the top India players talk to him. Have you seen him speak to Rahul Dravid, Virat Kohli or Rohit Sharma publicly in any training session? He would stand in one corner during 20-20 World Cup in Australia and no one bothered to speak to him,” said the official who was quoted as saying.
The former India cricketer was heard saying that he has a good relationship with captain Rohit Sharma and players like Hardik Pandya and Deepak Hooda visit his house to discuss their future in the team.
“Rohit was talking to me for half an hour this morning. Whatever Rohit and I discussed it will not go outside this room. Current cricketers are also in touch with me. Hardik Pandya had come, and he had a casual chat with me. Deepak Hooda had come. Umesh Yadav came to meet me the other day,” Sharma said in the sting operation video.
Sting operation compromised the trust factor: BCCI source
Chetan also said that around 80-85% players are unfit during the selection time and selectors are requested to keep them in contention. “The players are not fit but they take injections to play. They are ready to play even at 80 percent fitness. They take injections and start playing.
“Even if they are around 85 percent fit, they will say ‘Sir let us play’ but they are not cleared by the medical team that is where the problem lies. The players always want to play, they never refuse to play.”
The Indian Cricket Board official who has discarded Chetan’s claims also highlighted the fact that Zee media’s sting operation has compromised the trust factor. He said players and team officials will now hesitate before sharing any cordial or candid conversation.
“No player or selector will be comfortable on sharing a cordial relationship even with well-meaning journalists after this sting as the trust factor has been compromised,” the source said.
