This is ajit’s second offence: mca

Ajit Agarkar, Wasim Jaffer, Sulakshan Kulkarni called for inquiry; show cause notice likely for Zaheer Khan. Following Ajit Agarkar’s decision to return home from Cuttack after being dropped

for the Ranji match against Orissa, Mumbai Cricket Association has decided to summon the senior all-rounder, coach Sulakshan Kulkarni and skipper Wasim Jaffer for an inquiry on December 3.

Zaheer Khan, too, will be asked to explain his comments to a leading daily in relation to the episode. Throwing his weight behind Agarkar, Zaheer lashed out at Kulkarni and chief selector

Milind Rege, saying that the two have “pulled Mumbai cricket back”. An MCA official said that the association will hear Zaheer out. “If Zaheer’s remarks were directed at Rege and Kulkarni,

we will not hesitate to issue him a show cause notice,” he said. Rege, however, has kept a dignified silence on the issue. “I’ve a job to do,” the chief selector said, adding, “and I don’t

need Zaheer Khan’s certificate to prove my credibility.” Meanwhile, MCA officials reminded that this was Agarkar’s second major offence. Around three years back, he was warned for practising

on a wet wicket at the BKC, disregarding the curator’s objection. The official said, “He had to be stopped and he did vent his protest in the next match by wearing a black band. He was let

off with a warning. This is his second offence.” However, the official seemed a touch sympathetic towards the beleaguered cricketer. He added, “Such matters have to be dealt with carefully.

We can’t afford to part with a senior player like Agarkar. Amol Muzumdar and Vinit Indulkar are into their cooling-off period. They can’t represent Mumbai right away, and you never know when

you’ll need Agarkar.”