You Know What

Seamer Mondeep Mangela, who is cooling his heels on the sidelines on disciplinary grounds, reportedly smsed MCA about his desire to join the team for the Ranji opener in Nashik on his own instead of travelling with the team

Suhrid Barua, Pune Mirror, November 4, 2008

Pune: Outstation seamer Moondeep Mangela is cooling his heels on disciplinary grounds. The price he pays for his ‘unbecoming behaviour’ is axing from the from the 17-member State squad for the ongoing Ranji opener against Tamil Nadu and also probably for the second tie against Andhra. But Maharashtra’s toothless bowling performance which allowed Tamil Nadu to run up a score in excess of 600, may just prompt the team think-tank to summon Mangela back into the side for the Andhra game.

MCA tight-lipped
Though the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) officials have not been forthcoming on the issue, save for uttering the ‘disciplinary ground’ line, highly-placed sources indicate that it was not just one or two incidents of ‘unprofessional’ behaviour on the part of Mangela that led the state cricket association to overlook him for the first two games.
When probed further, it was learnt that Mangela didn’t hit the right notes with his ‘negative attitude’. It was learnt that Mangala was guilty of breaching the ‘unofficial’ code of conduct by repeatedly showing up late for a few of the pre-season practice games.
Only two ties
Interestingly, Mangela played in only two of the six practice games. He was even believed to have smsed the team management of his unavailability for some of those games.
Clearly, the MCA wasn't taking kindly to his demeanour. Probably the fact that he was brought as an 'outstation' player would have probably made him feel that he’s indispensable for the State Ranji side.
Sample this: The Ranji team was announced around 9.30 pm on October 28. And Mangela presuming that he would be picked in the 17-member squad, smsed the MCA that he would directly join the Ranji squad in Nashik in time for the opening game instead of travelling with the team.
MCA deserves a pat
Any player who thinks himself above the team should be dealt with a firm hand. The MCA has to be patted on their backs for cracking the whip on Mangela. Taking a tough stance can always have the positive effect in the long run and one hopes it does for Mangela. Realisation seems to have dawned on the medium pacer, who is seen as a nippy customer by coach Shaun Williams, that he wasn’t going to have his way with his unacceptable behaviour. The youngster now is apologetic about his behaviour and can’t wait to get back in the side.
One thing is for sure; we have not heard the last of Mangela, for he has plenty of expectations to fulfil when he hurls the red cherry for Maharashtra while donning the Ranji whites.