The Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) has launched an official inquiry into the shocking discovery of undeclared alcohol bottles and beer cans in the luggage of five of its under-23 players at Chandigarh airport last week. This potentially misconduct casts a shadow over the promising careers of these young athletes and raises questions about team discipline.
The alleged incident came to light during routine luggage scanning, revealing 27 liquor bottles and two crates of beer hidden inside the players’ kit bags. This blatant violation of regulations prompted the SCA to swiftly appoint its ethics committee to investigate the matter thoroughly and recommend appropriate disciplinary action.
“This incident is unfortunate and intolerable,” declared the SCA in an official statement, emphasizing its commitment to upholding its code of conduct. The details of the incident remain sketchy, with conflicting reports emerging. According to sources, the incident occurred after the team’s victory in Chandigarh, as their kit bags were sent separately via airline, while the players took a bus due to flight delays.
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Chandigarh Union Territory Cricket Association confirmed the incident through its secretary, Devinder Sharma to Indian Express, while clarifying that Chandigarh isn’t a dry state, making the act a breach of cricket association rules rather than a criminal offense.
Adding a dramatic twist to the story, the father of one of the players alleges his son was unwittingly used by a senior Ranji Trophy player to transport the alcohol. He claims his son, unaware of the contents, simply obliged a teammate’s request, raising suspicion of foul play and potential attempts to oust specific players from the team.
“The way the incident is being projected in the media makes me suspect that it was a conspiracy to ease my son and other four out of the team so that some other cricketers could take their place,” he added.
The SCA, however, is prioritizing a fair investigation before jumping to conclusions. Secretary Himanshu Shah assured sufficient time and opportunity for the players to present their statements, acknowledging their promising talent and recent performance in the tournament.
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