Innocent Harmeet Singh has nowhere to go

[Bleed-Blue]

Less than a year ago, Harmeet Singh was being talked about as a player to watch out for. His heroic performances during the course of India’s triumphant ICC Under-19 World Cup campaign in Australia prompted a man of Ian Chappell’s stature to remark that the Mumbaikar was ready for international cricket. Fast forward to August 2013 and Harmeet’s career hangs in the balance. A witness in the IPL spot-fixing scandal, he has got a clean chit from the Delhi Police. But the BCCI is yet to lift its suspension. What’s more, Vidarbha, the team he was to represent in the 2013-14 domestic season, has closed the door on the left-arm spinner. It is reliably learnt that the Vidarbha Cricket Association, headquartered in Nagpur, decided at its recent AGM that it didn’t want a “problem child†on its player roster. A top VCA official told dna on the condition of anonymity that there was no way the association would take Harmeet on board. “Even if the BCCI gives him a clean chit, we don’t want him. It’s a policy decision,†the official said. And yes, Harmeet was not allowed to represent the side in any of the pre-season tournaments. “There is no doubt Harmeet is innocent,†SN Srivastava, commissioner (special cell), Delhi Police, told dna on Thursday. “He is a witness, not an approver. We are ready to clarify with anybody about his innocence. The bookies had approached him once, but he never accepted their offer. It can happen to anybody,†the officer added. It is also learnt that the Delhi Police has sent a letter to the BCCI, informing it of Harmeet’s innocence. But the board is waiting for Sawani’s report. Accused Ajit Chandila is still behind bars and Ravi Sawani, head of board’s anti-corruption, has yet to interrogate him. After the World Cup high last year, Harmeet found himself in the Rest of India squad for the Irani Cup tie against Rajasthan. Six months later, he earned a Rajasthan Royals contract. And around the same time, he also decided he wouldn’t wait any longer for a permanent spot in the Mumbai Ranji side. He duly requested the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) for a no-objection certificate and switched to Vidarbha. But a few weeks after the IPL spot-fixing scandal broke out, things took a worrying turn. Harmeet’s name cropped up after a bookie claimed he had tried to influence the 20-year-old, but gave up the idea because Harmeet was “too youngâ€. A startled Harmeet then requested Sawani to arrange for a meeting with Delhi Police officials. He then boarded the next flight to the Capital and cooperated with the investigators. Harmeet was in for a pleasant surprise. The cops told him they knew he was innocent. All they wanted to hear from him was the truth. Harmeet promptly told them how Chandila introduced him to bookies before the tournament started. Harmeet smelt a rat, but stayed mum. In any case, the bookies had decided against “having him on boardâ€. A few days later, Harmeet told Sawani whatever he had told the Delhi Police — word by word. The interrogation, conducted at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, lasted an hour. In mid-May, Chandila and two others — S Sreesanth and Ankeet Chavan — found themselves in the police net. However, Harmeet chose to remain silent till the whole scandal broke out. The 20-year-old is innocent, but the board is yet to give him a clean chit. Vidarbha don’t want him. Where does he go? —With inputs from Hakeem Irfan in New Delhi

[Sooda]

Ah this is very sad, how wrong of Vidarbha

[Haarkarjeetgaye]

he will be a very good test spinner. some team will snap him up

[jj_28]

Harmeet will make it, India need a bowler like him and he has the talent to make it

[BeautifulGame]

“He is a witness, not an approver. We are ready to clarify with anybody about his innocence. The bookies had approached him once, but he never accepted their offer. It can happen to anybody,” the officer added.

The issue has been why he stayed quiet instead of informing BCCI or Dravid(or RR mgmt) when bookies approached him

[Cricketics]

Sums up the mentality of those selectors and some people out there. Basically when someone is down, they try to give him more man. It sucks but it's really true in real life.

[jf1gp_1]

Yes I feel sorry for him but its his fault ; there is a simple direction someone approaches you report it. If there is a threat then board deals with it. He chose to let it slip under carpet as if nothing happened well he is paying the price.

[Soorma_Bhopali]

Yes I feel sorry for him but its his fault ; there is a simple direction someone approaches you report it. If there is a threat then board deals with it. He chose to let it slip under carpet as if nothing happened well he is paying the price.

Too much to ask from a 19-year old ...that's a mistake , no doubt but I think we presume anyone innocent until proven guilty ..he should have been fined and allowed to Cary on. As he is not guilty ..by keeping him idle and unsure of his future, you are breaking the will of an awesome talent , who has been strongly endorsed by no less than people of Ian Chappell and Bedi's stature ..

[yoda]

He should have informed, however that can't surely result in anything severe in terms of punishment. May be ban him from domestics for a few games.

[Lord]

sad

[India-KXIP fan]

At end, where does he go? His home team :kxip:, huge opportunity to win Ranji with Harmeet further strengthening team.

[saneindian]

At end' date=' where does he go? His home team :kxip:, huge opportunity to win Ranji with Harmeet further strengthening team.[/quote'] Aah, even before the season begins, your jinxing has started. Remember what you did to Mandeep Singh and later Punjab ranji team?

[G_B_]

This is why i fear rampant media speculation. It can ruin reputations even of the innocent.

[jf1gp_1]

Too much to ask from a 19-year old ...that's a mistake ' date= no doubt but I think we presume anyone innocent until proven guilty ..he should have been fined and allowed to Cary on. As he is not guilty ..by keeping him idle and unsure of his future, you are breaking the will of an awesome talent , who has been strongly endorsed by no less than people of Ian Chappell and Bedi's stature ..

Even a 3 yr old knows how to complain when someone tries to snatch their toy, at 19 he has right to choose Indian PM, ask him and he will even have a IPL contract figure he would like at the tip of his tongue yet didnt have the sense to speak up when he should have. See i am not against him, its to early to say if he will one day play for India. State board officials are being short sighted but you cant blame them for being cautious.

[Soorma_Bhopali]

Even a 3 yr old knows how to complain when someone tries to snatch their toy, at 19 he has right to choose Indian PM, ask him and he will even have a IPL contract figure he would like at the tip of his tongue yet didnt have the sense to speak up when he should have. See i am not against him, its to early to say if he will one day play for India. State board officials are being short sighted but you cant blame them for being cautious.

You do have some sense of humor ..Indian PM ..this Hijra asks permission from Sonia madam ji even to go to potty LOL