December 14, 2025 • 30 mins
This week on the show, host Mihir Vasavda speaks to The Indian Express’ Lalith Kalidas about his investigation into how Puducherry has become a backdoor into Indian cricket’s elite leagues. They discuss how fake addresses, eligibility papers, and a parallel selection system allow players from other states to bypass residency rules, often in plain sight of cricket’s governing bodies, and how money, access, and lax oversight allow the system to thrive.
You can read the investigation here.
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
You can read the investigation here.
Produced by Shashank Bhargava
Edited and mixed by Suresh Pawar
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
Hello, and welcome to Express Sports podcast. You're listening to
Game Time with Mimihisada and this week we will be
talking about an investigation that has it will be fair
to say, shaken Indian cricket system. Aur Kaleen, who's joining
us today, Lalith Kaleitas spent four months or more than that,
as he'll explained, uncovering what was happening in local cricket
(00:26):
in ponditory where private coaches were offering packages for cricketers
from other states to become locals, thus opening the door
to local association teams and BCCI riches. Well, Indian cricket's
global rise, which we've been talking about for such a
long time, has largely relied on the belief that it
is a system of fairness, that skill in swat and
(00:48):
selection create a level playing field. But Lalith, when you
sat down with this investigation, you found out that it
wasn't always the case. So tell us how did you
get around this investigation and what did you find out?
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Well, it was quite a long process. I mean I
don't think it started even maybe this year. Followers of
domestic cricket, like the keen followers of domestic cricket would
have always been intrigued and surprised when they see, you know,
keep seeing different names pop up in Pondichery cricket levens
across formats, across the age groups over the last seven
years since they've come into the BCCA system. And this
(01:24):
keeps happening when there's a clear defined rule at the
senior level that only three guest players can be allowed
in a playing leven. So like I've always wanted to,
you know, get to the base of what happens in
Ponditchery for years now, but I've never come across anybody
being affected by it. Like obviously you know that local
crickets suffering, but it was difficult to get in contact
(01:46):
with someone or somebody who's been directly affected by it.
But the initial thought for the story this year started
somewhere around May or June when Ponditery Premier League, the
State T twenty League was happening, and you get to
see a lot of names from Madhya Pradesh, Mumbai, Uta, Pradesh, Delhi.
All of these guys are playing the State T twenty
League in Pondichery and some of these names have played
(02:09):
Drunji Trophy cricket just the year before, you know, in
their respective hometowns. So that is where this process started.
And then like randomly one day, I came across some
comments on an Instagram post where local cricketers had mentioned
about like they're suffering because of what's happening even in
the PPL, the Pondery Premier League, and that is how
(02:30):
I actually got in touch with the local cricketers there
and the story you know, unfold from there. So yeah,
it was quite shocking at every point from there over
the last four months what has been going on there,
like in terms of the selection, in terms of the
entire cricket association itself, and you know what happens with
the entire complex where the Cricket Association of Pondicherry is
(02:51):
set up. So I think, yeah, that is how the
initial part of this story actually was set up.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
Yeah, and we'll be talking about all of those points
as progress. So basically, even though you are a cricket geek,
it wasn't out of your choice or love for the
game that you were following Pondichery cricket, right, It was
basically you sniffed around and you found that something was
wrong and then spent a lot of months kind of
figuring out what exactly was the case.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Well, yes, once you keep following domestic cricket, obviously you
know that is the breeding ground for the next set
of talent or whoe will represent Indian cricket at the
international level. One day we'll all be coming through domestic cricket.
So I have always found it very important system. And
this is not the first time, you know, pondichery cricket
is coming in the news for the wrong reasons. It
(03:38):
actually happened in the very first season they'd come up.
In fact, I think, if I'm not wrong, it was
just after their first UH ever game under the BCC
in twenty eighteen September, if I'm not wrong, where eight
players were banned for having you know, forged their documents
to be eligible as a local player. Even then, associations
like Lutra Khan had a filed complaint to the BCCI
(04:01):
where they had to take down the special status they
are apparently given ponditory at that point to field more
than three guest players. So it continued at a large
scale with each passing season. Was quite surprising and the
entire system is completely taken down there at every level.
It's not just the senior men's Runjie team that we're
(04:21):
talking about. It extends to the other white ball formats,
even women's cricket and every age group division.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
Under the BCCI.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
And it becomes even more shocking at the age group level,
especially because you don't have a system of guest players
at the age group level. You can't field players from outside,
you know, outstation cricketers at the guest level. And just
need to scroll back a couple of months to the
first match of this season in October in the WINU
Market Trophy at the under nineteen level, where nine out
(04:49):
of the eleven players that played the opening game from
outside the state.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
That's insane. If we just kind of take a step back,
like now, could it walk us through what it actually
takes for someone to become a professional cricketer in India,
so you know, play in the IPL or get as
far as the national team.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Obviously there is the clear defined rule of going through
the district to the zonal level, to state cricket and thereon,
but we also know like there are so many, so
many different ways to you know, actually get to the
top or get to the spotlight these days, especially with
the glamour and the spotlight of the IPL. Just this
week we've seen Baroda's Amid Passi. He's not represented Barrow
(05:28):
at any level before over the last nine years. And
then suddenly he makes his debut in the last league
stage game of the Mushta Kali Trophy. That is his
first ever game at the state level and he equals
the world record for the highest score on debut and
the next day he lands at IPL selection trials with
Kolkata Night Riders. So there are different ways to get
(05:48):
to the top now. But yeah, obviously the structure, the
BCA structure, given the large competition that we have in
the country, starts from the age groups. You get into
the state age group team and then you progress to
the senior team, where you know, you compete across formats,
you're eligible for government jobs and other lucrative things you
(06:09):
know in the system. And from there on it takes
to be a special, really special player to get to
the top.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
And I'm assuming that when you were starting out, say
at a junior level or at his zonal level, the
domicile plays a big part, like you have to be
living in that city or that state to stand the chance.
So when you went around sniffing at whatever was happening
in pontagerly, what did your investigation reveal and to what
extent was the problem there?
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Well, yeah, especially in the age group cricket, I think
that findings were you know, actually the most shocking for
me in terms of you know, yeah, like you said,
domicile is a very important part at the age group level.
Even though the BCCI only mandates one year's education certificate
in that particular region of a state or you know,
one year's residency, that can be easily manipulated anywhere, and
(06:57):
that just goes to another level in pontige. Like I
had visited five addresses, like five he addresses, which kept
you know, popping up quite often in the eligibility I
mean all the registration forms of the players. And yeah,
there were a lot of age group players like who
have managed to you know, forge their domicile. There was
this one player at this particular address. He is from Delhi.
(07:21):
He was set up to play since last year in Pondicherry,
but he'd managed to manipulate his address through his connections
and he was able to you know, show documents that
had him reside in Pondicherry since twenty twenty three, but
he's never been there. He's a proper Delia and he's
always played his cricket outside Pondicherry. And yeah, and the
(07:45):
week I had actually visited Pondicherry is the also the
same time he'd flown down to Pondie after a year.
And at the very last day of this investigation, like
I had also mentioned in the story about fake educational institutes,
so that was a tricky part to actually, you know,
(08:05):
to crack in terms of who who were the players,
Like I had a list of less in terms of
which was the institute they were actually set up in.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
So yeah, uh uh.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
On the final day I was able to you know, uh,
you know, contact some of them and actually find out
that they were all you know, registered in this one
particular institute that was mentioned in the story. And at
the same time, they're not in Ponditary when they're actually
listed to be studying there.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Right now, they're all back in their.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Hometowns, you know, after a short stint in the practice
games or the Ponditiery Premier League earlier this year. So yeah,
that is how the age group system works in pondery.
And that is how easily, uh you know, they've been
able to manipulate the BCC norms in pondery.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
It's insane.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
And you also mentioned this quote unquote package of a
to one point two lack or more which is a
fast track to the Ponditiery teams across age groups. Could
you talk more about that what exactly, I mean, what
are they paying for? If someone is from Delhi and
they're paying up to one point two lack or more,
what do they get in return.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
That actually just sets them up to be eligible to
play there? I'm sure, or like through my various sources,
I've heard that even to play a particular game right
after that, like once you've set up you have to
pay a lot more just to be playing games there.
You have to pay or whatever that is to the
private coaches and all that to be getting playing time
(09:35):
later on. But yeah, coming to this initial one one
point two lack package that basically sets you up your
domicile and all the eligibility. Like, for instance, if I'm
approaching you know, the middlemen and the private coaches in Ponditiary,
who's very much an integral part of this parallel system like,
if you're approaching them this year, you must be able
(09:57):
to do that by September every year because that is
when your educational I think the deadlines are by then.
So if you're able to you know, sneak in a
word with the coaches there by the end of September,
they will be able to provide you backdated college admissions
in various courses depending on what you've studied, say in
twelfth grade, depending on your stream, they're able to you know,
(10:19):
set you up in different streams and ponditory in different
courses in shady educational institutes. And they'll also be able
to do that by you know, manipulating the dates to
say June, which actually makes you eligible to play from
you know, the start of the next domestic season, say
in twenty twenty six. The domestic season starts by August.
(10:39):
So since you've already been you know, enrolled in a
course in June, you've completed a year's status in ponditory
by the records. So for that set up, it costs
about one point two lacks in terms of semester fees
and all that. And there is apparently a special package
just for the other cards and the residential agreements which
will cost you about just sixteen thousand rupees and you've
(11:02):
set up a fake are the address for yourself to
use in terms of all the registration process and everything
that BCCI would require the following year.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
It's incredible. And these education courses that you talk about,
is anyone supposed to verify that or is it just
like you enroll and that's okay, no one's going to check.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Well, that is where it actually gets tricky.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
I mean the association, Like whoever I've spoken to this
mister Venkatraman would come on record when I've visited a
ponditary stadium. He is the under nineteen men's coach right now.
He's been a former secretary of the association and he
was also the assistant coach of the DULEE Trophy South
Zone team this time. So well, that explains who is
(11:41):
So he told that it is not the job of
the association, like we can't be going and verifying the
documents and the educational certificates, like how legitimate all of
these are by each player? And even I've come to
hear that the BCCI system is something similar. They do
not go every year and verify every players documents unless
(12:01):
there is an objection raised. So that is where it
gets tricky for the system to actually verify even educational
certificates or government documents for that matter. So that is
their counter reaction to this whole mess that's happening. Like
even Pmdrin, the founder of the CP, has told us
that how are we supposed to verify these government documents
(12:23):
like Adha and the other addresses and even the educational certificates.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
I all this kind of you know, graizes this one
question that I have why Pondichery of all places, To
be honest, I don't think Pondiery is the only place
where it's happening, but I also think it happens a
lot more there because you know, clearly speaking to everybody
involved within the CP, their motivation is clearly not to
(12:48):
you know, spend or invest in developing ponditiary cricket or
like developing you know, the grassroots game over there. Like
if that was clearly the intention of mister Damo and
the entire CAP structure, they would have had a club
cricket system, which is like quite prevalent in every other
state that would have been set up by now, like
(13:09):
it's clear to everybody the heft that mud has in
terms of funds and finances.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
I mean he's singlarantly been able to you know, establish
this fantastic CP ground which has about eight different grounds.
Four of them are almost if I'm not wrong, or
I've already obtained first class cricket status. They've already you know,
hosted an under nineteen international game, but there is still
no representation of local talent. They don't have the avenue
(13:35):
to play simply because there is no chance for a
division league system there. We do not know how the
teams are picked for the States, for the Rungi Trophy
selection trials and all that. There is no clear defined structure,
So it gets all the more easy for them to
invest in a system like this where clearly their intention
is to you know, compete, And mister Damudin himself had
(13:57):
told me that on record, like I do not want
to be or like we do not want to be
like one of the Northeastern states, which clearly states what
he intends with investing in such a structure. So yeah,
I think that's how, you know, it becomes easy for
Pondicherry to you know, work in the way they.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
Are, right now and yeah, I'm.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
Sorry, but what does he mean by not be like
one of those Northeastern state Like what do they do? See?
Speaker 2 (14:22):
There have been allegations against certain Northeastern teams, but now
if you look at it, most of them are able
to feel their own local levels and they are still competing.
Most of the teams are still competing in the Plate group.
But Pondigery has been able to you know, get move
past the Plate group and compete in at the elite
level with all the top teams for a larger period
(14:42):
of the last eight years, where you know, teams like
say Meghalaya Moneypore, they've still been you know, moving up
and down between the two elite and plate systems. But
Pondichery has been able to, you know, sustain themselves in
the elite groups simply because they've managed to, you know,
have players of great capabilities, like they've had a paras though,
like he's a clearly domestic cricket legend. He's the second
(15:03):
highest run scorer in the Rungji Trophy. He's been played
for them for quite a long time. There was Abhisheik
Nayer before that, and they had consistently had such names
like proven themselves at the runjy level and for different states.
So that is what he intends by that, like he
wants to compete and he does not know believe in
a system where you know, he should invest at the
local level to improve the game.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
So even the President of the Cricket Association of Pondicherry,
Suda mu Dan, comes across as an interesting character. Now
you've mentioned that there are allegations of interest and impropriety
against him. What did you find out?
Speaker 2 (15:38):
So, actually his term as the president had finished in
August twenty twenty five, but he still remains the key
figure for the CAP. He continues to represent them at
the BCCIA GMS and for the large part of the
last eight years, the entire you know, the key positions
within the CAP were all controlled by employees from his
(16:00):
private company, the Secum Technologies Wires and Cables company. We've
had two past precedents, which includes him of course, who
continues to hold very key important positions as directors in
Secum Technologies. We've had two former treasurers of the Association
since between twenty eighteen and early twenty twenty five who
(16:21):
are holding key positions within the Secum Technologies and more interestingly,
the voting members of the CAAP. Like we do not
have public records available since twenty twenty two. The last
records that I've been able to obtain is for the
voting term between twenty nineteen and twenty twenty two. And
it is quite shocking that out of the thirty two
(16:42):
voting members, twenty one of them are holding positions in SECAMP,
which includes thirteen life members, out of which eight were
employed by his private company. And everything goes to another
level when you look at the you know, the lee's
agreement between the SECAM Technologies and the CAAP. As we
know from this investigation that the cp and the entire
(17:04):
complex that we talk about cricket Ground, which includes eight
grounds and a lot more facilities, all of this is
situated or established in you know, Da Muduran's private land
which belonged to Sikam. And this was an initial lease
agreement for fifteen years, following which the entire facility will
be Secum's. And sometime in mid twenty twenty three, everything
(17:27):
got a lot more blatant in the sense that you know,
the first party in this agreement became Damudran's children, Rohit Damudhuran,
he was their first Runji Trophy captain, has played over
one hundred first class games and Damudran's daughter Poja. So
the lie's agreement got upgraded in the sense that it
was now between the a Mudhuran's children and the CP.
(17:47):
And this lese agreement is supposed to expire in twenty
thirty nine, following which every established infrastructure within this CP
could fall into private hands could fall back into the
Amuduran's hands. And this will include you know, upgrades or
anything of that matter which was done using BCI funds
(18:08):
over the year. So every year every association gets annual
grants from the BCCI. I mean it's a lot lesser
for the new teams like Pondicherry, they've been getting around
ten crore for like three four years and for the
last two years they've been getting seventeen crows each. So
you can expect, you know, by in the next fifteen
or fourteen years, the amount will definitely likely to increase.
(18:29):
And whatever upgrades and everything that is spent on this facility,
which is now valued at one hundred crows according to
the Amudran, will all be going to his children, his.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Family Yeah, Yeah, what has Amudran said? You've spoken to him,
You've reached out to him extensively, interviewed him. What did
he say about all these allegations?
Speaker 2 (18:50):
Obviously, I mean he's denied every question and every allegation
that has been placed, and despite clear records being placed,
he's contradicted himself from earlier the here in terms of
the conflict of interest allegation, like there was a BCCA
rejoinder he had replied to like to a complaint from
one of the Ponditary Cricketers Forum from last year that
(19:10):
had happened in May twenty twenty five, where he had
admitted to the BCSA that at least five of the
thirteen life members were or are SIRCUM employees. But within
the five months now he says that there has never
been any life member who was attached to both the
CAP and SKUM at the same time. And in terms
of not setting up, you know, a club system, he
(19:31):
blames the schools in Ponditierry who continued to turn against
you know, promotion of cricket, and that was his claim
over there. And in terms of why just a single
ground where every infrastructure has been built and he says
that it is not easy to you know, procure large
scale land in Ponditary, so I've been able to afford it.
(19:52):
He's quite magnanimous in that way that he's been able
to provide everything for Ponditary in terms of establishing a
you know, a ground. So I don't think he's given
very well defined answers for any of this that clears
him of water allegations were placed against him. So yeah,
these were some of his responses to our queries that
(20:12):
we had placed on an email to him.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
Right, and if we were to kind of, you know,
come to the end of this discussion, where does the
BCCI's rule come into is what are the checks and
balances they should have in place? And the BCCI secretary
also reacted. He's said that they'll be looking into these allegations.
So what exactly is happening on BCC refference, because everything
that's happening over year is happening under their watch.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
Right, absolutely, I think this is where they should have,
like if they are really watching or like keeping a
watch on what was progressing at the domestic level every year.
There are obviously departments who are looking into it. There
is a game director of the BCCI. There are several
departments to look at all the malpractices that is happening.
There is an anti corruption unit which has not actually
(20:53):
responded to you know, several complaints from the Pondery Cricketers
Forum for nearly seven years. And interestingly they've got a
first response since our report was published. They've got a
first response for one of the complaints raced last year.
That happens to be two days after the story is published.
So now the BCCI is working at this level and
if they were actually you know, keeping a close tab
(21:15):
on this, they should have stepped in and asked CP,
look what's happening. Why are you know so many outstation
cricketers representing your team. So this is not the IPL
talking about domestic cricket. You're competing estates and obviously there
is the cushion of the guest plays, but this is
a blatant exploitation of that rule and the BCCI I
think should step in and you know, upgrade their own
(21:38):
existing norms of eligibility. Like it's a good example of
you know, the current champions with URBA and teams like
mad they've been able to you know, establish their own
constitution that actually does not allow such practices to happen,
because if you look at with HERBA now, they're a
very small region. It comprises only eight districts, so it
would actually be quite tough for them to you know,
(21:59):
groom homegrown talent consistently over the years. And yet they've
been three time champions of the Rungei Trophy in those
eight years where Pondichery has come into the system, and
they've got a very different system in terms of their
constitution does not allow such practices simply because you know,
the minimum eligibility criteria consists of a three year period
in terms of domicile, in terms of you know, you
(22:20):
should have represented a club in a proper club registered
under the weather BA Association for at least three years
to be able to play or like be eligible to
play for the state. So I think those are some
of the things that BCSA immediately needs to look at,
like I'm sure and we all know that it is
just exaggerated, I mean taken to another level in ponditory,
and I'm sure it happens, you know, in different proportions
(22:42):
and across all the states that are competing in the
Rungee trophy. So I think, yeah, that is where BCSA
should step up first and look into their own constitution,
you know, the loopholes in their own system, upgrade it
and then you know, try to clean up what's happening
in Pondichery another.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
You mentioned, you know, with the puzz example right now,
and earlier you mentioned what was happening in Northeast in
Mega Misuram and Maneypur. Now, how hard is it for
these regions, these states where there isn't a deep cricketing
culture where you know, it's not like Bombay or Delhi
or Tamil Nadu where you've got players in abundance. How
hard is it for them to set up a thing
(23:20):
from a very grassroots level and then start competing with
the big boys.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
Well, it is absolutely a huge task, especially even tougher
if you look at the entire Northeast region which came
into the system alongside Pondicherry. Now we know that they
don't have a great cricketing tradition, but it is a
lot different in the Muduran's perspective and even Pondicherry because
they were all connected to, you know, under the Tamiladu
Cricket Association before you know, Pondicherry came as a separate
(23:49):
entity under the BCCI, like Pondicherry was an attached district
to the TNCA, So they've had some understanding of what
how an administration or how cricket works. But again, setting
up a you know complex, setting up a cricket ground,
setting up a league structure is difficult. You need a
lot of finances involved. Even if you bcc I will
fund at least fifty percent of it, at some point,
(24:11):
it is difficult, you know, to set up a system.
And you know, that is where actually the AMUDN could
have actually made an ideal difference to a place like
Ponditary because as he says, he is the among the
top seven hundred riches Indians last year or so, and
he makes about you know, eight hundred crows or nine
hundred crows and profits every year from the secum technologies.
So he would be able to you know, fund and
(24:34):
establish something. It would be quite easy for him in
terms of the finances involved. And as we all can see,
scam ground is like world class facilities. I mean they've
been able to establish that in such a short span,
like within seven years it's no mean feat. But yeah,
if you look at other regions to you know set
up now, just looking into the northeast cricket most of
the states, like I just visited Guati and you know
(24:55):
connection with that, I had done a story and while
speaking to each of the seven states there they involved.
Most of them play their cricket in parts of Gujarat
or you know, on the western borders of the country
simply because they don't have you know, basic stadium structures
still set up there. The finances haven't worked out yet,
it is still in progress, so their cricket structures are
(25:16):
still developing simply because yeah, it is a huge task
to you know set up a system like that. So
that is how it works, and that is where actually,
you know, the Muderans simply because of his corporate background,
can afford to have a you know alternative in terms
of the setup.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
But yeah, it is not easy.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
To you know fund and you know, look after us
New State Association in terms of you know, structuring it
from the grassroot level.
Speaker 1 (25:39):
And of course, like if we put this entire thing
in the bigger picture context, where cricket, more than any
other sport in India is a way to better life.
So a lot of these players come from very humble backgrounds.
They come from all over India and cricket is probably
their way out to a better life. So when they
do not get opportunities because of incidents like these, how
(26:01):
does that really impact the entire ecosystem.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
Yeah, it means a lot for you know, ponditary cricket.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
I mean the local cricketers, if they're representative, they're rightful,
chances are given back to them. Firstly, it sets up
a lot of in terms of the money involved, Like
it is not a bad thing, Like obviously, you know
glamor of international cricket is different. But today just being
a Runge trophy cricketer, active Rungi trophy player means a lot.
It opens up a lot of avenues in terms of
(26:27):
at some point you're eligible to become you know, BCCI
certified coaches. I mean that sets up a lot of
you know, opportunities both in India and abroad. Like we
see like even active cricketers like say Vijai Shunker, he's
represented India, he's played a lot for Tamil Nadu. He's
currently playing for Thripura, but he's now a BC certified coach,
so that opens up a lot of avenues for a
(26:48):
player like him. It will open up chances like that
as well, so that is beyond your playing representation. Then
there's obviously the whole lot of opportunities that opens up
in terms of employment at the government jobs. Now, among
the band players, there was this one player called Rakubati
here in fact captain Ponditory in Runjit Trophy games.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
His future in cricket it.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
Looks bleak at this point, especially after the band as well.
So he's been able to move on because he's had
enough games at the domestic level under his belt. He's
been able to you know, land a government job. But
among the band players there is a George Samuel or
like a ten Even or Kalaiwan. They've been in the
Rung Trophy squach but haven't landed the opportunity to play,
(27:29):
So that cuts their opportunities down, like they're not eligible
yet to you know, get some of these opportunities that
will you know, mean a lot to all of them.
They're not sure about what to do next. Some of
them crossed the age group categories as well, so it
is quite hard to now look at something else when
you know, when you've been hoping, when you've been preparing
to you know, someday, you know, land a debut or
(27:49):
Raungei Trophy cap. I mean that's still special for a
lot of cricketers in India. I mean it still means
a lot. Obviously international cricket is something else, but Raungji
Trophy still means a lot to the entire cricketing fraternity
in India simply because yeah, it secures a family or
it secures somebody's future. So yeah, that's what it means
to all of them in ponditory. It's not just getting
(28:11):
their representations, also about families and you know, their own
careers and their future.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
Right. And lastly, after your story got published, did you
get any feedback from the local players or local coaches?
What do they expect to happen now?
Speaker 2 (28:27):
Well, I did. I've been in constant touch with the
local cricketers. I mean, our investigation also found out that
like five of them were banned for raising some of
these allegations to the association in terms of you know,
hoping for a response a change, So obviously now they
are actually looking forward to the response proper investigation from
the BCCI, there have been other local body members would
(28:49):
called me and asked whether the BCCA would be able
to set up an ad hoc committee to look at
the entire CAP structure like it is flawed at every step,
So that is what they're expecting. They're expecting a change,
definitely in terms of the entire system that is now
entirely upon the BCCI to you know, actually walk the talk.
They've obviously the Secretary has told us that they will
(29:09):
be looking into the matter. So now I think obviously
that is the only thing they can hope for because
they don't have basic representation in terms of local level
games itself, so they need a structure in place. And yeah,
if the CAAP is not ready to look into that,
it should be the BCCA should be directing it. And
they're hopeful that now that they've also responded to the
Ponditary Cricketers Forum, that the BCCA would be looking into
(29:32):
it a little more keenly to clean up their own mess.
Speaker 1 (29:36):
Wait, and we will be, of course keeping a close
eye rather at you, I'm sure will be on top
of everything that's happening there. Once again, the incredible investigation,
and I think it's a good reward for all the
hard work they've put in for months. Thank you for
joining us today and explaining what is happening in Ponditory
and in Indian cricket, and thank you all for listening.
We will be back with a new episode of Game
(29:59):
Time next week.
Speaker 4 (30:02):
You were listening to Expresspodes by the Indian Express. This
week's show was edited and mixed by Sesh Bawar and
produced by Mesha shang Bargev. If you like the show,
then do subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.
You can also recommend the show to someone you think
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(30:25):
Indianexpress dot com.
Hello, and welcome to Express Sports podcast. You're listening to
Game Time with Mimihisada and this week we will be
talking about an investigation that has it will be fair
to say, shaken Indian cricket system. Aur Kaleen, who's joining
us today, Lalith Kaleitas spent four months or more than that,
as he'll explained, uncovering what was happening in local cricket
(00:26):
in ponditory where private coaches were offering packages for cricketers
from other states to become locals, thus opening the door
to local association teams and BCCI riches. Well, Indian cricket's
global rise, which we've been talking about for such a
long time, has largely relied on the belief that it
is a system of fairness, that skill in swat and
(00:48):
selection create a level playing field. But Lalith, when you
sat down with this investigation, you found out that it
wasn't always the case. So tell us how did you
get around this investigation and what did you find out?
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Well, it was quite a long process. I mean I
don't think it started even maybe this year. Followers of
domestic cricket, like the keen followers of domestic cricket would
have always been intrigued and surprised when they see, you know,
keep seeing different names pop up in Pondichery cricket levens
across formats, across the age groups over the last seven
years since they've come into the BCCA system. And this
(01:24):
keeps happening when there's a clear defined rule at the
senior level that only three guest players can be allowed
in a playing leven. So like I've always wanted to,
you know, get to the base of what happens in
Ponditchery for years now, but I've never come across anybody
being affected by it. Like obviously you know that local
crickets suffering, but it was difficult to get in contact
(01:46):
with someone or somebody who's been directly affected by it.
But the initial thought for the story this year started
somewhere around May or June when Ponditery Premier League, the
State T twenty League was happening, and you get to
see a lot of names from Madhya Pradesh, Mumbai, Uta, Pradesh, Delhi.
All of these guys are playing the State T twenty
League in Pondichery and some of these names have played
(02:09):
Drunji Trophy cricket just the year before, you know, in
their respective hometowns. So that is where this process started.
And then like randomly one day, I came across some
comments on an Instagram post where local cricketers had mentioned
about like they're suffering because of what's happening even in
the PPL, the Pondery Premier League, and that is how
(02:30):
I actually got in touch with the local cricketers there
and the story you know, unfold from there. So yeah,
it was quite shocking at every point from there over
the last four months what has been going on there,
like in terms of the selection, in terms of the
entire cricket association itself, and you know what happens with
the entire complex where the Cricket Association of Pondicherry is
(02:51):
set up. So I think, yeah, that is how the
initial part of this story actually was set up.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
Yeah, and we'll be talking about all of those points
as progress. So basically, even though you are a cricket geek,
it wasn't out of your choice or love for the
game that you were following Pondichery cricket, right, It was
basically you sniffed around and you found that something was
wrong and then spent a lot of months kind of
figuring out what exactly was the case.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Well, yes, once you keep following domestic cricket, obviously you
know that is the breeding ground for the next set
of talent or whoe will represent Indian cricket at the
international level. One day we'll all be coming through domestic cricket.
So I have always found it very important system. And
this is not the first time, you know, pondichery cricket
is coming in the news for the wrong reasons. It
(03:38):
actually happened in the very first season they'd come up.
In fact, I think, if I'm not wrong, it was
just after their first UH ever game under the BCC
in twenty eighteen September, if I'm not wrong, where eight
players were banned for having you know, forged their documents
to be eligible as a local player. Even then, associations
like Lutra Khan had a filed complaint to the BCCI
(04:01):
where they had to take down the special status they
are apparently given ponditory at that point to field more
than three guest players. So it continued at a large
scale with each passing season. Was quite surprising and the
entire system is completely taken down there at every level.
It's not just the senior men's Runjie team that we're
(04:21):
talking about. It extends to the other white ball formats,
even women's cricket and every age group division.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
Under the BCCI.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
And it becomes even more shocking at the age group level,
especially because you don't have a system of guest players
at the age group level. You can't field players from outside,
you know, outstation cricketers at the guest level. And just
need to scroll back a couple of months to the
first match of this season in October in the WINU
Market Trophy at the under nineteen level, where nine out
(04:49):
of the eleven players that played the opening game from
outside the state.
Speaker 1 (04:53):
That's insane. If we just kind of take a step back,
like now, could it walk us through what it actually
takes for someone to become a professional cricketer in India,
so you know, play in the IPL or get as
far as the national team.
Speaker 2 (05:07):
Obviously there is the clear defined rule of going through
the district to the zonal level, to state cricket and thereon,
but we also know like there are so many, so
many different ways to you know, actually get to the
top or get to the spotlight these days, especially with
the glamour and the spotlight of the IPL. Just this
week we've seen Baroda's Amid Passi. He's not represented Barrow
(05:28):
at any level before over the last nine years. And
then suddenly he makes his debut in the last league
stage game of the Mushta Kali Trophy. That is his
first ever game at the state level and he equals
the world record for the highest score on debut and
the next day he lands at IPL selection trials with
Kolkata Night Riders. So there are different ways to get
(05:48):
to the top now. But yeah, obviously the structure, the
BCA structure, given the large competition that we have in
the country, starts from the age groups. You get into
the state age group team and then you progress to
the senior team, where you know, you compete across formats,
you're eligible for government jobs and other lucrative things you
(06:09):
know in the system. And from there on it takes
to be a special, really special player to get to
the top.
Speaker 1 (06:14):
And I'm assuming that when you were starting out, say
at a junior level or at his zonal level, the
domicile plays a big part, like you have to be
living in that city or that state to stand the chance.
So when you went around sniffing at whatever was happening
in pontagerly, what did your investigation reveal and to what
extent was the problem there?
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Well, yeah, especially in the age group cricket, I think
that findings were you know, actually the most shocking for
me in terms of you know, yeah, like you said,
domicile is a very important part at the age group level.
Even though the BCCI only mandates one year's education certificate
in that particular region of a state or you know,
one year's residency, that can be easily manipulated anywhere, and
(06:57):
that just goes to another level in pontige. Like I
had visited five addresses, like five he addresses, which kept
you know, popping up quite often in the eligibility I
mean all the registration forms of the players. And yeah,
there were a lot of age group players like who
have managed to you know, forge their domicile. There was
this one player at this particular address. He is from Delhi.
(07:21):
He was set up to play since last year in Pondicherry,
but he'd managed to manipulate his address through his connections
and he was able to you know, show documents that
had him reside in Pondicherry since twenty twenty three, but
he's never been there. He's a proper Delia and he's
always played his cricket outside Pondicherry. And yeah, and the
(07:45):
week I had actually visited Pondicherry is the also the
same time he'd flown down to Pondie after a year.
And at the very last day of this investigation, like
I had also mentioned in the story about fake educational institutes,
so that was a tricky part to actually, you know,
(08:05):
to crack in terms of who who were the players,
Like I had a list of less in terms of
which was the institute they were actually set up in.
Speaker 3 (08:15):
So yeah, uh uh.
Speaker 2 (08:18):
On the final day I was able to you know, uh,
you know, contact some of them and actually find out
that they were all you know, registered in this one
particular institute that was mentioned in the story. And at
the same time, they're not in Ponditary when they're actually
listed to be studying there.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Right now, they're all back in their.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Hometowns, you know, after a short stint in the practice
games or the Ponditiery Premier League earlier this year. So yeah,
that is how the age group system works in pondery.
And that is how easily, uh you know, they've been
able to manipulate the BCC norms in pondery.
Speaker 3 (08:55):
It's insane.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
And you also mentioned this quote unquote package of a
to one point two lack or more which is a
fast track to the Ponditiery teams across age groups. Could
you talk more about that what exactly, I mean, what
are they paying for? If someone is from Delhi and
they're paying up to one point two lack or more,
what do they get in return.
Speaker 2 (09:15):
That actually just sets them up to be eligible to
play there? I'm sure, or like through my various sources,
I've heard that even to play a particular game right
after that, like once you've set up you have to
pay a lot more just to be playing games there.
You have to pay or whatever that is to the
private coaches and all that to be getting playing time
(09:35):
later on. But yeah, coming to this initial one one
point two lack package that basically sets you up your
domicile and all the eligibility. Like, for instance, if I'm
approaching you know, the middlemen and the private coaches in Ponditiary,
who's very much an integral part of this parallel system like,
if you're approaching them this year, you must be able
(09:57):
to do that by September every year because that is
when your educational I think the deadlines are by then.
So if you're able to you know, sneak in a
word with the coaches there by the end of September,
they will be able to provide you backdated college admissions
in various courses depending on what you've studied, say in
twelfth grade, depending on your stream, they're able to you know,
(10:19):
set you up in different streams and ponditory in different
courses in shady educational institutes. And they'll also be able
to do that by you know, manipulating the dates to
say June, which actually makes you eligible to play from
you know, the start of the next domestic season, say
in twenty twenty six. The domestic season starts by August.
(10:39):
So since you've already been you know, enrolled in a
course in June, you've completed a year's status in ponditory
by the records. So for that set up, it costs
about one point two lacks in terms of semester fees
and all that. And there is apparently a special package
just for the other cards and the residential agreements which
will cost you about just sixteen thousand rupees and you've
(11:02):
set up a fake are the address for yourself to
use in terms of all the registration process and everything
that BCCI would require the following year.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
It's incredible. And these education courses that you talk about,
is anyone supposed to verify that or is it just
like you enroll and that's okay, no one's going to check.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
Well, that is where it actually gets tricky.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
I mean the association, Like whoever I've spoken to this
mister Venkatraman would come on record when I've visited a
ponditary stadium. He is the under nineteen men's coach right now.
He's been a former secretary of the association and he
was also the assistant coach of the DULEE Trophy South
Zone team this time. So well, that explains who is
(11:41):
So he told that it is not the job of
the association, like we can't be going and verifying the
documents and the educational certificates, like how legitimate all of
these are by each player? And even I've come to
hear that the BCCI system is something similar. They do
not go every year and verify every players documents unless
(12:01):
there is an objection raised. So that is where it
gets tricky for the system to actually verify even educational
certificates or government documents for that matter. So that is
their counter reaction to this whole mess that's happening. Like
even Pmdrin, the founder of the CP, has told us
that how are we supposed to verify these government documents
(12:23):
like Adha and the other addresses and even the educational certificates.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
I all this kind of you know, graizes this one
question that I have why Pondichery of all places, To
be honest, I don't think Pondiery is the only place
where it's happening, but I also think it happens a
lot more there because you know, clearly speaking to everybody
involved within the CP, their motivation is clearly not to
(12:48):
you know, spend or invest in developing ponditiary cricket or
like developing you know, the grassroots game over there. Like
if that was clearly the intention of mister Damo and
the entire CAP structure, they would have had a club
cricket system, which is like quite prevalent in every other
state that would have been set up by now, like
(13:09):
it's clear to everybody the heft that mud has in
terms of funds and finances.
Speaker 2 (13:14):
I mean he's singlarantly been able to you know, establish
this fantastic CP ground which has about eight different grounds.
Four of them are almost if I'm not wrong, or
I've already obtained first class cricket status. They've already you know,
hosted an under nineteen international game, but there is still
no representation of local talent. They don't have the avenue
(13:35):
to play simply because there is no chance for a
division league system there. We do not know how the
teams are picked for the States, for the Rungi Trophy
selection trials and all that. There is no clear defined structure,
So it gets all the more easy for them to
invest in a system like this where clearly their intention
is to you know, compete, And mister Damudin himself had
(13:57):
told me that on record, like I do not want
to be or like we do not want to be
like one of the Northeastern states, which clearly states what
he intends with investing in such a structure. So yeah,
I think that's how, you know, it becomes easy for
Pondicherry to you know, work in the way they.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
Are, right now and yeah, I'm.
Speaker 1 (14:16):
Sorry, but what does he mean by not be like
one of those Northeastern state Like what do they do? See?
Speaker 2 (14:22):
There have been allegations against certain Northeastern teams, but now
if you look at it, most of them are able
to feel their own local levels and they are still competing.
Most of the teams are still competing in the Plate group.
But Pondigery has been able to you know, get move
past the Plate group and compete in at the elite
level with all the top teams for a larger period
(14:42):
of the last eight years, where you know, teams like
say Meghalaya Moneypore, they've still been you know, moving up
and down between the two elite and plate systems. But
Pondichery has been able to, you know, sustain themselves in
the elite groups simply because they've managed to, you know,
have players of great capabilities, like they've had a paras though,
like he's a clearly domestic cricket legend. He's the second
(15:03):
highest run scorer in the Rungji Trophy. He's been played
for them for quite a long time. There was Abhisheik
Nayer before that, and they had consistently had such names
like proven themselves at the runjy level and for different states.
So that is what he intends by that, like he
wants to compete and he does not know believe in
a system where you know, he should invest at the
local level to improve the game.
Speaker 1 (15:25):
So even the President of the Cricket Association of Pondicherry,
Suda mu Dan, comes across as an interesting character. Now
you've mentioned that there are allegations of interest and impropriety
against him. What did you find out?
Speaker 2 (15:38):
So, actually his term as the president had finished in
August twenty twenty five, but he still remains the key
figure for the CAP. He continues to represent them at
the BCCIA GMS and for the large part of the
last eight years, the entire you know, the key positions
within the CAP were all controlled by employees from his
(16:00):
private company, the Secum Technologies Wires and Cables company. We've
had two past precedents, which includes him of course, who
continues to hold very key important positions as directors in
Secum Technologies. We've had two former treasurers of the Association
since between twenty eighteen and early twenty twenty five who
(16:21):
are holding key positions within the Secum Technologies and more interestingly,
the voting members of the CAAP. Like we do not
have public records available since twenty twenty two. The last
records that I've been able to obtain is for the
voting term between twenty nineteen and twenty twenty two. And
it is quite shocking that out of the thirty two
(16:42):
voting members, twenty one of them are holding positions in SECAMP,
which includes thirteen life members, out of which eight were
employed by his private company. And everything goes to another
level when you look at the you know, the lee's
agreement between the SECAM Technologies and the CAAP. As we
know from this investigation that the cp and the entire
(17:04):
complex that we talk about cricket Ground, which includes eight
grounds and a lot more facilities, all of this is
situated or established in you know, Da Muduran's private land
which belonged to Sikam. And this was an initial lease
agreement for fifteen years, following which the entire facility will
be Secum's. And sometime in mid twenty twenty three, everything
(17:27):
got a lot more blatant in the sense that you know,
the first party in this agreement became Damudran's children, Rohit Damudhuran,
he was their first Runji Trophy captain, has played over
one hundred first class games and Damudran's daughter Poja. So
the lie's agreement got upgraded in the sense that it
was now between the a Mudhuran's children and the CP.
(17:47):
And this lese agreement is supposed to expire in twenty
thirty nine, following which every established infrastructure within this CP
could fall into private hands could fall back into the
Amuduran's hands. And this will include you know, upgrades or
anything of that matter which was done using BCI funds
(18:08):
over the year. So every year every association gets annual
grants from the BCCI. I mean it's a lot lesser
for the new teams like Pondicherry, they've been getting around
ten crore for like three four years and for the
last two years they've been getting seventeen crows each. So
you can expect, you know, by in the next fifteen
or fourteen years, the amount will definitely likely to increase.
(18:29):
And whatever upgrades and everything that is spent on this facility,
which is now valued at one hundred crows according to
the Amudran, will all be going to his children, his.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Family Yeah, Yeah, what has Amudran said? You've spoken to him,
You've reached out to him extensively, interviewed him. What did
he say about all these allegations?
Speaker 2 (18:50):
Obviously, I mean he's denied every question and every allegation
that has been placed, and despite clear records being placed,
he's contradicted himself from earlier the here in terms of
the conflict of interest allegation, like there was a BCCA
rejoinder he had replied to like to a complaint from
one of the Ponditary Cricketers Forum from last year that
(19:10):
had happened in May twenty twenty five, where he had
admitted to the BCSA that at least five of the
thirteen life members were or are SIRCUM employees. But within
the five months now he says that there has never
been any life member who was attached to both the
CAP and SKUM at the same time. And in terms
of not setting up, you know, a club system, he
(19:31):
blames the schools in Ponditierry who continued to turn against
you know, promotion of cricket, and that was his claim
over there. And in terms of why just a single
ground where every infrastructure has been built and he says
that it is not easy to you know, procure large
scale land in Ponditary, so I've been able to afford it.
(19:52):
He's quite magnanimous in that way that he's been able
to provide everything for Ponditary in terms of establishing a
you know, a ground. So I don't think he's given
very well defined answers for any of this that clears
him of water allegations were placed against him. So yeah,
these were some of his responses to our queries that
(20:12):
we had placed on an email to him.
Speaker 1 (20:14):
Right, and if we were to kind of, you know,
come to the end of this discussion, where does the
BCCI's rule come into is what are the checks and
balances they should have in place? And the BCCI secretary
also reacted. He's said that they'll be looking into these allegations.
So what exactly is happening on BCC refference, because everything
that's happening over year is happening under their watch.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
Right, absolutely, I think this is where they should have,
like if they are really watching or like keeping a
watch on what was progressing at the domestic level every year.
There are obviously departments who are looking into it. There
is a game director of the BCCI. There are several
departments to look at all the malpractices that is happening.
There is an anti corruption unit which has not actually
(20:53):
responded to you know, several complaints from the Pondery Cricketers
Forum for nearly seven years. And interestingly they've got a
first response since our report was published. They've got a
first response for one of the complaints raced last year.
That happens to be two days after the story is published.
So now the BCCI is working at this level and
if they were actually you know, keeping a close tab
(21:15):
on this, they should have stepped in and asked CP,
look what's happening. Why are you know so many outstation
cricketers representing your team. So this is not the IPL
talking about domestic cricket. You're competing estates and obviously there
is the cushion of the guest plays, but this is
a blatant exploitation of that rule and the BCCI I
think should step in and you know, upgrade their own
(21:38):
existing norms of eligibility. Like it's a good example of
you know, the current champions with URBA and teams like
mad they've been able to you know, establish their own
constitution that actually does not allow such practices to happen,
because if you look at with HERBA now, they're a
very small region. It comprises only eight districts, so it
would actually be quite tough for them to you know,
(21:59):
groom homegrown talent consistently over the years. And yet they've
been three time champions of the Rungei Trophy in those
eight years where Pondichery has come into the system, and
they've got a very different system in terms of their
constitution does not allow such practices simply because you know,
the minimum eligibility criteria consists of a three year period
in terms of domicile, in terms of you know, you
(22:20):
should have represented a club in a proper club registered
under the weather BA Association for at least three years
to be able to play or like be eligible to
play for the state. So I think those are some
of the things that BCSA immediately needs to look at,
like I'm sure and we all know that it is
just exaggerated, I mean taken to another level in ponditory,
and I'm sure it happens, you know, in different proportions
(22:42):
and across all the states that are competing in the
Rungee trophy. So I think, yeah, that is where BCSA
should step up first and look into their own constitution,
you know, the loopholes in their own system, upgrade it
and then you know, try to clean up what's happening
in Pondichery another.
Speaker 1 (22:57):
You mentioned, you know, with the puzz example right now,
and earlier you mentioned what was happening in Northeast in
Mega Misuram and Maneypur. Now, how hard is it for
these regions, these states where there isn't a deep cricketing
culture where you know, it's not like Bombay or Delhi
or Tamil Nadu where you've got players in abundance. How
hard is it for them to set up a thing
(23:20):
from a very grassroots level and then start competing with
the big boys.
Speaker 2 (23:25):
Well, it is absolutely a huge task, especially even tougher
if you look at the entire Northeast region which came
into the system alongside Pondicherry. Now we know that they
don't have a great cricketing tradition, but it is a
lot different in the Muduran's perspective and even Pondicherry because
they were all connected to, you know, under the Tamiladu
Cricket Association before you know, Pondicherry came as a separate
(23:49):
entity under the BCCI, like Pondicherry was an attached district
to the TNCA, So they've had some understanding of what
how an administration or how cricket works. But again, setting
up a you know complex, setting up a cricket ground,
setting up a league structure is difficult. You need a
lot of finances involved. Even if you bcc I will
fund at least fifty percent of it, at some point,
(24:11):
it is difficult, you know, to set up a system.
And you know, that is where actually the AMUDN could
have actually made an ideal difference to a place like
Ponditary because as he says, he is the among the
top seven hundred riches Indians last year or so, and
he makes about you know, eight hundred crows or nine
hundred crows and profits every year from the secum technologies.
So he would be able to you know, fund and
(24:34):
establish something. It would be quite easy for him in
terms of the finances involved. And as we all can see,
scam ground is like world class facilities. I mean they've
been able to establish that in such a short span,
like within seven years it's no mean feat. But yeah,
if you look at other regions to you know set
up now, just looking into the northeast cricket most of
the states, like I just visited Guati and you know
(24:55):
connection with that, I had done a story and while
speaking to each of the seven states there they involved.
Most of them play their cricket in parts of Gujarat
or you know, on the western borders of the country
simply because they don't have you know, basic stadium structures
still set up there. The finances haven't worked out yet,
it is still in progress, so their cricket structures are
(25:16):
still developing simply because yeah, it is a huge task
to you know set up a system like that. So
that is how it works, and that is where actually,
you know, the Muderans simply because of his corporate background,
can afford to have a you know alternative in terms
of the setup.
Speaker 3 (25:31):
But yeah, it is not easy.
Speaker 2 (25:33):
To you know fund and you know, look after us
New State Association in terms of you know, structuring it
from the grassroot level.
Speaker 1 (25:39):
And of course, like if we put this entire thing
in the bigger picture context, where cricket, more than any
other sport in India is a way to better life.
So a lot of these players come from very humble backgrounds.
They come from all over India and cricket is probably
their way out to a better life. So when they
do not get opportunities because of incidents like these, how
(26:01):
does that really impact the entire ecosystem.
Speaker 3 (26:04):
Yeah, it means a lot for you know, ponditary cricket.
Speaker 2 (26:07):
I mean the local cricketers, if they're representative, they're rightful,
chances are given back to them. Firstly, it sets up
a lot of in terms of the money involved, Like
it is not a bad thing, Like obviously, you know
glamor of international cricket is different. But today just being
a Runge trophy cricketer, active Rungi trophy player means a lot.
It opens up a lot of avenues in terms of
(26:27):
at some point you're eligible to become you know, BCCI
certified coaches. I mean that sets up a lot of
you know, opportunities both in India and abroad. Like we
see like even active cricketers like say Vijai Shunker, he's
represented India, he's played a lot for Tamil Nadu. He's
currently playing for Thripura, but he's now a BC certified coach,
so that opens up a lot of avenues for a
(26:48):
player like him. It will open up chances like that
as well, so that is beyond your playing representation. Then
there's obviously the whole lot of opportunities that opens up
in terms of employment at the government jobs. Now, among
the band players, there was this one player called Rakubati
here in fact captain Ponditory in Runjit Trophy games.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
His future in cricket it.
Speaker 2 (27:08):
Looks bleak at this point, especially after the band as well.
So he's been able to move on because he's had
enough games at the domestic level under his belt. He's
been able to you know, land a government job. But
among the band players there is a George Samuel or
like a ten Even or Kalaiwan. They've been in the
Rung Trophy squach but haven't landed the opportunity to play,
(27:29):
So that cuts their opportunities down, like they're not eligible
yet to you know, get some of these opportunities that
will you know, mean a lot to all of them.
They're not sure about what to do next. Some of
them crossed the age group categories as well, so it
is quite hard to now look at something else when
you know, when you've been hoping, when you've been preparing
to you know, someday, you know, land a debut or
(27:49):
Raungei Trophy cap. I mean that's still special for a
lot of cricketers in India. I mean it still means
a lot. Obviously international cricket is something else, but Raungji
Trophy still means a lot to the entire cricketing fraternity
in India simply because yeah, it secures a family or
it secures somebody's future. So yeah, that's what it means
to all of them in ponditory. It's not just getting
(28:11):
their representations, also about families and you know, their own
careers and their future.
Speaker 1 (28:17):
Right. And lastly, after your story got published, did you
get any feedback from the local players or local coaches?
What do they expect to happen now?
Speaker 2 (28:27):
Well, I did. I've been in constant touch with the
local cricketers. I mean, our investigation also found out that
like five of them were banned for raising some of
these allegations to the association in terms of you know,
hoping for a response a change, So obviously now they
are actually looking forward to the response proper investigation from
the BCCI, there have been other local body members would
(28:49):
called me and asked whether the BCCA would be able
to set up an ad hoc committee to look at
the entire CAP structure like it is flawed at every step,
So that is what they're expecting. They're expecting a change,
definitely in terms of the entire system that is now
entirely upon the BCCI to you know, actually walk the talk.
They've obviously the Secretary has told us that they will
(29:09):
be looking into the matter. So now I think obviously
that is the only thing they can hope for because
they don't have basic representation in terms of local level
games itself, so they need a structure in place. And yeah,
if the CAAP is not ready to look into that,
it should be the BCCA should be directing it. And
they're hopeful that now that they've also responded to the
Ponditary Cricketers Forum, that the BCCA would be looking into
(29:32):
it a little more keenly to clean up their own mess.
Speaker 1 (29:36):
Wait, and we will be, of course keeping a close
eye rather at you, I'm sure will be on top
of everything that's happening there. Once again, the incredible investigation,
and I think it's a good reward for all the
hard work they've put in for months. Thank you for
joining us today and explaining what is happening in Ponditory
and in Indian cricket, and thank you all for listening.
We will be back with a new episode of Game
(29:59):
Time next week.
Speaker 4 (30:02):
You were listening to Expresspodes by the Indian Express. This
week's show was edited and mixed by Sesh Bawar and
produced by Mesha shang Bargev. If you like the show,
then do subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.
You can also recommend the show to someone you think
we'll like it, share it with a friend or someone
in your family. It's the best way for people to
get to know about us. You can also tweet us
at Express Podcasts and write to us at podcasts at
(30:25):
Indianexpress dot com.
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