Mumbai Cricket Association’s decision to hand a lengthy three-year ban to 14-year old Musheer Khan for ‘gross misconduct’ has invited mixed response from the cricket fraternity. While some feel that the decision will be a deterrent for other players, some feel that the ban could derail the budding cricketer’s career.
The incident had taken place during an all-India tournament in December last year. The MCA took the decision after a complaint against Musheer on December 22. The three-year ban will end on January 14, 2022. During this period, the player has been barred from playing in any cricket organised by the MCA or representing Mumbai in any BCCI-affiliated competition.
While the MCA did not reveal the details of what the player did, reports suggest that the teenager not only used bad language but also exposed himself in front of his team-mate. MCA took the decision after the ad-hoc committee concluded its inquiry. The committee spoke not only with the accused and the complainant but also with the team coach, manager and chairman of the age-group selection committee. The ad-hoc committee comprised MCA secretary Unmesh Khanvilkar, CEO CS Naik, and managing committee members Naveen Shetty, Ganesh Iyer and Shah Alam Shaikh.
Ever since the verdict came out, the jury is out to decide whether it was right. Now former India skipper Dilip Vengsarkar has given his opinion on the topic. The legendary batsman feels the punishment is a little harsh. Vengsarkar, who also served as the chief of the national selection panel, further said that it is the right time for the MCA and even the BCCI to start counselling centres, more so after the Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul controversy.
“I don’t want to comment on the decision of the ad hoc committee as I was out of India and do not know the details but on the face of it, this ban (on Musheer Khan) looks a bit harsh,” Vengsarkar told the Times of India.
“The BCCI must make young cricketers undergo counselling at the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Similarly, the MCA must also introduce counselling for its young players as many of them come from a humble background,” said Vengsarkar.