Player from Goa can play for India: Sardesai

Margao, Apr 3 (UNI) Former India middle order batsman Dilip Sardesai, who was felicitated by the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) for his contribution to cricket with a purse of Rs 5 lakh, today said that he hoped soon a player from Goa would play for India.

Sardesai, who is a Goan by birth but migrated to Mumbai to be able to play for the country said, ''If you can produce cricketers from non cricketing regions than why not Goa.'' With the amount of infrastructure and money being made available, I am sure soon an youngster from Goa would come to the forefront, he said.

Speaking about the current cricket team, Sardesai said that the selectors should give someone else a chance in place of Mohd Kaif.

''I think with the amount of failures he has got, some other player deserves a chance. You cannot live on past laurels and need to be consistent.'' On Sehwag, however, Sardesai had a different take, saying that the dashing opener should be brought down in the middle order and then after he finds his touch he could go up again.

Sardesai also thanked the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) for felicitating him 33 years after his retirement.

''I do not think I can blame the GCA too much also because they really did not have the money before and it is only now that they are getting money from the BCCI. It is better late than never,'' he added.

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