Rajasthan cricketers face uncertain future due to BCCI-RCA row

With domestic season set to kick off in another month and a halfs time, the future of top Rajasthan cricketers like Pankaj Singh, Robin Bist and Ashok Menaria hangs in balance, as it is difficult for them to even get an inter-state transfer to play for any other state.

The time-frame for seeking an inter-state transfer ends on September 1, and although some of the top Rajasthan players had offers from other states, they wont be able to seek a transfer, as they cant get a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from their home state. The ball is now in Board of Control for Cricket in Indias (BCCI) court to bail the players out, who want to play for other state.

"Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) as of now is banned by the BCCI. Therefore a banned state body cant give NOC to any player, who is seeking an inter-state transfer," a senior BCCI official told PTI.

"As per BCCI constitution, it is mandatory for a player to get an NOC from the last state association. The moment, BCCI allows RCA to give NOC for inter-state transfer, that would mean that there is no ban on the association. BCCI cant allow that to happen. Well, the sufferers will be Rajasthan players, if BCCI does not help those, who want transfers" the source added.

Although, Rajasthan have won back-to-back Ranji Trophy titles in recent years, not many of their players are in demand as far as the weaker states are concerned, who are always on the look-out for professional.

Apart from Pankaj, who recently played for India in Test matches, Bist and Menaria, who have played for India 'A', have some of the states interested in them.

Some of the states, who have used professionals to a great extent over the years are Andhra, Assam, Vidarbha.