Sanjay Jagdale was elected as unopposed president of Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA). In May last year, while resigning as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary at the height of the raging Indian Premier League (IPL) betting-fixing controversy, Jagdale had vowed never to return to cricket administration, but on Sunday, August 24, he was “forced” back into administration again. After being selected he said, initially his priority would be to develop infrastructure at the grassroots level and play a big hand in the state team’s transition.
“First of all, I was not really interested in it. I was literally forced into it by our cricketers. Everyone, including [Jyotiraditya] Scindia ji, said that I should come in for at least two years. I agreed because a scenario emerged that there would be no election,” Jagdale told MAIL TODAY.
A former national selector and Madhya Pradesh Ranji Trophy captain, Jagdale, 63, didn’t have to contest as the opposition decided against fielding candidates for any position while Scindia was elected chairman.
“It’ll now take some time to assess and decide what has to be done and where,” Jagdale said, generally speaking. However, when asked specifically, he said his focus would be on developing the game at the lowest level.
“More than the administration, I’d be helping the MPCA to develop a new team. Basically, I’d be more involved in cricketing matters. I’d be focussing more on the grassroots level and the districts to upgrade facilities and infrastructure there. Madhya Pradesh team has been doing very well for last six-seven years. The progress has been good. But I’ll try to go down to the grassroots level and the district level,” he emphasised. “I’d like to focus on the playing facilities, coaching, and tournaments.”
He further added, “Most probably, we’ll be starting the reshuffling, the rebuilding process this year, as the [players’] lot is changing. We’ll be trying to develop fresh talent. There are a lot of seniors who are on the verge of retirement,” he said without revealing names. “We’ve sent an under-23 team to Australia to gain exposure. It’s not the Ranji Trophy team, but it comprises some Ranji players.”
MPCA is aggrieved that it was not allotted an ODI during the upcoming series against the West Indies. “I was totally out of it [administration]. But I’ll definitely take it up with the authorities [in the BCCI],” Jagdale signed off.
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