Shukla, Haldipur face expulsion from NCA

The two cricketers from Bengal who had been chosen to attend the National Cricket Academy run by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) now face expulsion. Lakshmi Ratan Shukla and Nikhil Haldipur may be expelled because of various reasons. While the former has stayed away from the Academy for more than two months now, there are allegations of indiscipline against the latter.

Talking to this correspondent at the Eden Gardens on Tuesday, the joint secretary of the Cricket Association of Bengal Debdas Bannerjee stated that Shukla initially had taken leave from the Academy on medical grounds. "However, after coming back to Calcutta during the first week of May, Shukla has not joined the camp," said Bannerjee. He then added "We had received some faxes from the Academy inquiring about his health. I had passed on those messages to his father. Recently, I received a fax from the Academy informing me that they were not willing to take back Shukla any more because he had missed a large number of important classes. I conveyed this message to the Shukla family also. They have sent the medical certificates to the Academy. However, I think he will not be taken back."

It should be added here that Shukla had some problems with his heel as a result of which he had to seek medical treatment. At the moment, even though he is able to bat, bowling is out of the question. It will take another two to three weeks before he can bowl. However, his main fault has been that he has not really kept in touch with those that matter at the Academy.

Haldipur's case is still in the dark. Sources in the CAB confirmed that he has been asked to leave the Academy. However, there has been no confirmation regarding this matter from his residence. The phone there is not being answered at present. However, according to information available from sources in Calcutta, there have been allegations of indiscipline against Haldipur.