Dinda feels overlooked, threatens to leave Bengal

Kolkata: Peeved at the state association's "step-motherly" attitude towards him, Bengal pacer Ashok Dinda today said he was mulling to switch allegiance if his home state does not support him.

Venting his ire, Dinda said, "All of us play with the ultimate aim of representing the country with the back up of our home state. But it's sad when your home state does not vouch for your name even after a good performance."

The outburst came after he was ignored by the national selectors, who picked Varun Aaron and uncapped Ishwar Pandey ahead of him for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.

"I feel very sad to say I'm not getting any support from my state. If it goes on like this, I've to ultimately think of playing for some other state," Dinda told PTI.

"It's quite frustrating when your performance is overlooked, yet somebody else is picked out of nowhere. I'm not blaming the selectors, but it's my association which did not back me," he said referring to the selection of Aaron who has 20 wickets from six matches.

Dinda, with 29 wickets from seven matches this season, was instrumental in Bengal's qualification to the Ranji quarters in a dramatic way as his 10-wicket match haul helped them thrash Uttar Pradesh before their win against Tamil Nadu.

Dinda, however, returned wicket-less in Bengal's match against TN.

Reacting strongly, CAB joint secretary Sujan Mitra said, "Dinda's identity is Bengal. If he chooses to move away, then it would be a big mistake by him. Everybody knows how much we've done for him."

Mitra further claimed that Dinda had gone to Pune Warriors India with a pay cut from what the pacer was getting from Kolkata Knight Riders.

Bengal are pitted against the Railways in the Ranji Trophy quarters at Eden Gardens from January 8-12.