30 November,2011 07:39 AM IST | | Clayton Murzello
Former Mumbai captain Shishir Hattangadi, a selector a few years ago, expressed surprise at Ajit Agarkar's decision to return home from Cuttack when he was not included in the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team's playing XI against Orissa.
Shishir Hattangadi
Hattangadi quit as Mumbai selector in 2009 because the team selected was changed without his knowledge.
"I am not sure what the issue with Ajit was, so I am in no position to react. All I can is that this is not what Mumbai cricket is known for. Droppings have happened before and it was accepted as part and parcel before.
Exclusion is never a pleasant experience "I have seen players of the ilk of Ashok Mankad and Paddy Shivalkar being dropped. Shivalkar was dropped in 1982-83 and Ravi Thakkar (left-arm spinner) was included. Now, can anyone argue over the contribution of a Shivalkar to Mumbai cricket?" asked Hattangadi.
He went on to relate an incident involving him. "I got picked to play when Ghulam Parkar was injured. Do you know who was 12th man? None other than Eknath Solkar. And when I got injured while fielding, it was Solkar who came out and fielded for me. The previous season he was Mumbai's Ranji Trophy-winning captain," said Hattangadi.
