Cops star in Mumbai Cricket Association polls

MCA election win of inspectors Shaikh and Patil will mean their Mumbai Police team would have to be at their best behaviour

Cops star in Mumbai Cricket Association polls

MCA election win of inspectors Shaikh and Patil will mean their Mumbai Police team would have to be at their best behaviour

They have a proven record in cricket administration, the success of the Mumbai Police team shows that. But ironic as it may sound, the big test for first-time winners in Mumbai Cricket Association's managing committee elections, Sr Inspector Iqbal Shaikh and Inspector Deepak Patil, will be to improve the disciplinary record of their own team Mumbai Police.

Under the guidance of team in-charge Shaikh and captain Patil, the Mumbai Police team gained promotion to the Kanga League and Times Shield 'A' Divisions. Shaikh also helped establish the best of training facilities at the Police Gymkhana, Marine Lines.

The Police team players, however, are known to have a tendency of sometimes crossing the line in the heat of the moment. Ironically, Patil, who still plays for the Police 'A' team, has been known to be quite a hot-head and was in the centre of a controversy during the Comrade Shield final a few years ago. He was handed a six-month ban by the MCA's disciplinary committee following a complaint lodged by their opponents, Cricket Club of India.

The two were naturally thrilled to be part of the MCA managing committee which is responsible for administration of the game in the city, but were well aware of the increased scrutiny on their team from now.

Asked about the advantage and disadvantage of police officers in cricket administration, Shaikh said: "There are only advantages, no disadvantages. The police team will be under more control."

Reminded of his team's penchant of getting involved in controversies, Shaikh said light-heartedly: "We have hot blood and it happens at the spur of the moment."

Shaikh is Sr Inspector at Malabar Hill Police Station while Patil is Inspector at LT Marg near Metro Cinema.

Asked about his famous hot-temper, Patil laughed: "That is only inside the 75-yard boundary circle. I never lose my cool doing official work. When I feel injustice is being done to my team, I can't tolerate it. I fight for my team. Now I will fight for the MCA because it is my new home."

Will new responsibilities make him softer? "I can't say anything about that. But there will be no complaints about my official work," said Patil.

As to how it will be working with people, some of whom were in the MCA committee when he was banned for indiscipline, Patil said: "Once you cross the boundary line you play for your team," said Patil.