Guwahati, May 24: Ranji Trophy players Nagesh Singh, Dhruba Sabhapandit, Naren Sabhapandit and Pankaj Srutikar of Jorhat will meet Assam Cricket Association secretary Bikash Baruah on May 29 to find out his plans on changing the face of cricket in the Upper Assam district.

The Jorhat District Sports Association (JDSA) cricket secretary M. Khaleq convened a meeting yesterday to discuss the ACA’s proposal to involve former state players for boosting the game in the district.

JDSA officials, who attended the two-hour meeting, were seen griping over the manner in which Baruah sought to highlight the dismal performance of Jorhat over the past few years. However, in the greater interest of the game, they decided that former players should meet the ACA officials and find out the plan.

ACA secretary Baruah said on May 11 that the association would change the face of cricket in Jorhat within a year in acknowledgement of the contributions of late Dilip Sarma, the umpires board secretary.

Former umpire Suren Ram Phookun has replaced Sarma, who passed away on May 2.

“It was disheartening to see the plight of cricket in Jorhat. Not a single person could be seen playing cricket when I visited Jorhat last Sunday. It seems cricket has died in Jorhat along with the demise of Sarma,” Baruah said.

Sarma, a bachelor, had represented Jorhat during his playing days and ran a coaching centre, Teenagers Club, in the town. He wanted to organise the golden jubilee of Teenagers Club next year in grand manner.

Many in the JDSA could not swallow Baruah’s comments. “We have not produced any player for the state team of late, but what has the ACA produced all this while? Baruah has been there for some time now. By saying there was no cricket he has only demeaned the contributions of Dilip Sarma,” one of them said.

“Players from Jorhat have been making it to the junior teams. But how many districts are sending players to the senior team? Of the eleven in the main team, six are from outside the state. Most of the remaining players are from Guwahati and NF Railway, two very professional sides. Where are the players from other districts?” another member of the JDSA asked.

No player from Jorhat has turned out for the Ranji Trophy team for the past 12 years.