Mumbai cricket has traditionally thrived on discipline besides its khadoos [stubborn] on-field attitude. However, that discipline was lacking on Day One of the camp-cum-selections trials that was called for by selection committee chief Salil Ankola at the Mumbai Cricket Association’s (MCA) Bandra-Kurla Complex ground on Monday.

According to MCA’s announcement on its website, out of the 104 players shortlisted to attend the trials for the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, 53 were asked to report at 8am and the rest at 11:30am on Monday. The selectors however, were shocked to find latecomers in the early morning batch. A stern warning was sent out that such a casual approach will not be tolerated, said Ankola. “I don’t like late-lateefs [latecomers] as I’m a very punctual person. Even when I used to play, I was never late. In fact, our entire team would be at the ground five minutes before time. And today I conveyed this strong message to the four-five guys who arrived late,” Ankola, 52, who represented the country in one Test and 20 ODIs, told mid-day on Monday.