Ex-Ranji players and state cricket association officials on Tuesday alleged that fielding outstation players in district teams was nothing new.

The revelation comes days after the secretaries of Ranchi and Latehar district cricket associations were caught on camera in a sting operation by a television channel agreeing to pick any player in district teams of different age groups for cash. They had also claimed that even the selection into the Jharkhand side can be easily influenced by cash.

“It’s very shameful. Fielding outstation cricketers in the district teams robs local players the opportunity to showcase their talent. I think the system in Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) is wrong,” said former Bihar Ranji skipper Avinash Kumar.

“I had been to a social gathering recently where Jharkhand Ranji team members were also present. Barring a few Jamshedpur-based cricketers in the team, I saw a number of new faces. They (new faces) did not recognise me nor did I,” Kumar said, adding that he did not rule out entry of outstation cricketers in the senior side (read Ranji).

Echoing Kumar, another former Ranji player Jitu Patel said the district cricket associations should take responsibility for the mess.

“Districts units have fielded outstation cricketers in their respective teams in the past. But no action were taken against them. Jharkhand has no dearth of talented cricketers, but they are deprived of representing their state because of outstation players,” he added.

Former JSCA vice-president Pravin Singh alleged that the Lohardaga district Under-19 team had 10 outstation players two years ago. “However, no official from JSCA nor the district took any action. District officials facilitate entry of outstation players by arranging fake Aadhaar cards and birth and school certificates,” he claimed.