MCA’s Chief selector Shivalkar watched Kanga league

There is a general view that Mumbai selectors don't take the pain to watch club cricket these days. They merely go by reputation of the player and score sheets.

MCA's Chief selector Shivalkar watched Kanga league

There is a general view that Mumbai selectors don't take the pain to watch club cricket these days. They merely go by reputation of the player and score sheets. However, this may not be the case with Mumbai Cricket Association's (MCA) chief selector Padmakar Shivalkar.

Mumbai's highest wicket-taker (589) made a pleasant sight at the Shivaji Park Gymkhana (SPG), when he turned up to witness the 'A' division Dr H D Kanga Cricket League match between Young Maharashtra and SPG, at the latter's ground yesterday. SPG scored 88 for five in reply to Young Maharashtra's score of 207 for seven.

"Cricket is my passion. Even when I was not a selector, I would regularly go to watch matches," Shivalkar told MiD DAY.

"Sometimes it is practically not possible to go and see all the matches. So, we have to rely on the score sheets," added the 69-year-old.

Shivalkar, however, stressed that watching matches definitely helps. "There is nothing like watching a player in a match. You come to know his ability and potential in a pressure situation. It also helps in knowing the player's attitude," he said.

Shivalkar stressed on the need to have the right attitude to make it big. "If we see that a player is getting out early after his half century or century, then there is something wrong with his thinking.

"That tells us whether he is ready for a higher level of cricket.

"Similarly, a player who scores 30s and 40s but remains not out will be at an advantage," he said.

So, is Mumbai cricket going to see inclusion of fresh blood this season? "It is tough to say right now, but we are keen to strengthen our second-rung team," he signed off.