Binod Das is out of the national team! On Tuesday, Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) announced the preliminary squad for the World Cup Twenty20 Qualifiers, axing former captain Binod.
This is the first time in almost 13 years that the cricketer from Bara was not considered for a team he is qualified to play for. This alone speaks a lot about his contribution to cricket in Nepal.
I feel saddened by the news that he is not in the team but that doesn´t mean I am against the decision to axe him. I feel Binod has done so much for cricket, and has created enough ground to continue contributing to cricket, that it doesn´t matter whether he is in the team or not. What matters most now is: will the CAN leadership be wise enough to respect his contribution, the experience and knowledge he has gained from playing (and also completing Level III coaching course) and use that for the development of Nepal´s cricket.
The first story I wrote about Binod in 1999 was on the theme of ´the youngest captain´. He was the youngest member in the Under-19 team that qualified to play the first ever Youth World Cup for the country. He wasn´t the captain during the qualifying tournament in Hong Kong, but for the YWC in Sri Lanka he was.
He never looked back after that and continued to be one of the best players in the country – right from becoming the first captain to lift a title, the ACC U-19 Trophy 2001, to becoming the de-facto choice for opening bowler for unofficial Associate XI teams after his splendid performances in three-day cricket.
Binod is one of the most successful cricketers on the field and the humblest of characters off the field. Personally, he should not only be admired as a committed player but also as a gentleman. Being axed from a team is of course a bitter truth for any player; however, every player – no matter how talented or successful – should be ready for the day he would not find a place in the team. It´s a rule of nature.
The true player is one who either knows it´s the end of his playing days or fights back into the team and accepts it.
Binod Das´ days haven´t ended for sure. He may not be a good T20 player but his experience will still matter in the 50-over matches. Sadly, Nepal doesn´t look like it will be playing matches in his favorite format – the multi-day cricket.
However, despite his possible comeback, it´s time for CAN to start thinking about utilizing his knowledge. He is not only the most experienced player but also the best trained coach in Nepal. It will be an injustice to him to say that he has nothing more for cricket.
CAN should ensure that he gets some place to keep contributing to Nepali cricket, which will be good both for him and for cricket.
(Ed: This write up appeared in Republica national daily under Ujjwal’s column: SPORTY SPIRIT, on 28th Jan 2012)