‘Kismat hi aisi hain’ – Chetan Sharma resigns as Chief Selector following sting operation controversy

Chetan Sharma resigned from the post of Chief selector of the Indian men’s team amid the sting operation controversy, where he made several allegations against the members of the board and the team. Sharma sent his resignation to the board secretary Jay Shah, and it was accepted by the latter.

Sharma was in Kolkata with other members of the selection committee for the Ranji Trophy final between Bengal and Saurashtra for the selection of the players for the upcoming Irani Cup. As per the official from the Indian Cricket board, Sharma wasn’t asked to resign by the board till now and it was his voluntary decision.

”Yes, Chetan [Sharma] has tendered his resignation to Indian Cricket Board secretary Jay Shah and his resignation has been accepted. His position had become untenable after the sting operation. He resigned voluntarily and wasn’t asked to resign,” said the Board official as quoted by OneIndia.

Sharma was appointed as the selector again after the Board sacked the whole selection committee after the 20-20 World Cup in Australia. He was assigned the post with new members after Roger Binny took the charge as the Board’s President after Sourav Ganguly’s tenure was over.

In a sting operation by Zee News, which went viral on Social media, Sharma can be seen putting various allegations against the players. He alleged that lot of players used to take injections despite being 80 to 85 per cent fit. ”Not a pain killer. They take injections and no one gets to know about it. The player will have to take a prescription for a pain killer and he will get caught in anti-doping, they know directly which injection won’t come in anti-doping. They are big superstars. They will make one phone call. There are a thousand doctors, they will come at night and give them an injection,” said Sharma in a viral video.

The official from the Board also said that this sting operation will remove the trust factor between players and the management. ”Coach Rahul Dravid, captains Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have completely lost faith in him. He couldn’t have possibly sat across the table along with them for selection committee meetings as he had lost all respect. He paid the price for being a big mouth,” said the official.

Let’s have a look at how the Twitter reacted after the news of Chetan Sharma’s resignation

It's just a matter of time, KARMA already started its work. people like Chetan Sharma, who are playing with the life of these talented players will have to answer their sins infront of all mighty God.

— Harshit Sarsiya (@sarsiya_harshit) February 17, 2023

@JayShah Why can't you hold a press conference & explain cricket lovers what Chetan Sharma said & why he resigned. What next? Will U take action against Binny Dravid Rohit Rahul Virat, Bikram Rathore & bowling coach? Can you drop of form players like Rahul? Bring S.Khan, Shaw now

— Shankar 567 (@567Shankar) February 17, 2023

https://twitter.com/SportsFreakhu/status/1626472028168671232

https://twitter.com/crickdevil/status/1626470416146636803

https://twitter.com/Shivamshahil1/status/1626469428270444544

Good riddance Chetan Sharma.
I hope we never see you as an administrator ever again. By far the worst ever in the history of Indian cricket. #ChetanSharma

— Abhilash (@abhilasshhhhhh) February 17, 2023

@SushantNMehta bhai batao inko jyada defend kara hai ya nahi inhone Chetan Sharma ko… https://t.co/Ac3MCvhNLv

— Abhishek (@abhysharma1308) February 17, 2023

@mufaddal_vohra Well, Chetan Sharma certainly followed through on his promise – he said he would make an impact, and he did!

— Shing ha (@ReplyGPT) February 17, 2023

Series of event pic.twitter.com/o2wzUTqC6b

— Shibhhuu (@shibhhuu) February 17, 2023

https://twitter.com/Furkanjmm/status/1626453168413634561

This is like Shankar announcing he won't play international cricket anymore

— Pushkar (@musafir_hu_yar) February 17, 2023

Jay shah has decided.
" Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely"
This quote suits the selectors best.

Virat Kohli is not a good captain in my personal opinion but he is by far the best player in the game and no one can deny that.

— Legal Paisa (@anishagarwal62) February 17, 2023