Good thing about HCA is that there is cricket 365 days: Menaria

For the longest time, Rajasthan was synonymous with Ashok Menaria, who was the mainstay of the state team. However, all of that changed over the last year and a half when the veteran all-rounder parted ways with the cricket association for a move to Haryana, seeking regular game time. 

Since his move, Menaria has been a key figure in the Haryana setup, with the all-rounder even leading his side to a Vijay Hazare Trophy title against Rajasthan. In the final, the southpaw scored a crucial 96-ball 70, a knock which allowed Haryana to get to 287/8 after their 50 overs. In the aftermath of the win, Menaria spoke about how 365 days of cricket with Haryana, helped him get back on track. 

“The good thing about HCA is that there is cricket 365 days. There are camps and matches every day. We have had three camps of red-ball cricket already before the season. I wanted the team to play the Buchi Babu tournament as preparation, and the management agreed,” Menaria told Sportstar.

𝐂.𝐇.𝐀.𝐌.𝐏.𝐈.𝐎.𝐍.𝐒! 🏆

Say hello 👋 to the winners of the #VijayHazareTrophy 👉 Haryana 🙌🙌@IDFCFIRSTBank | #Final pic.twitter.com/N20IS3quTC

— BCCI Domestic (@BCCIdomestic) December 16, 2023

“It wasn’t that I wanted to beat Rajasthan because of what the Association did to me. The players are very nice, and I have played all my cricket with them. They are still very good friends.”

The circumstances of Menaria’s exit, though, weren’t anything short of controversial. In the 2022-23 season, the all-rounder had to spend time on the sidelines with a Grade 2 tear in his hamstring. 

But then people close to the association came out in the media, stating that the all-rounder had his whims and fancies, stating that ‘Menaria gets injured on purpose’, something that triggered the 33-year-old. 

“I had a hamstring injury, in the fifth match against Karnataka [Ranji Trophy 2022-23]. I did an MRI, and it was revealed I had a Grade 2 tear. I was advised to take four to six weeks of bedrest. I wasn’t able to even walk. I didn’t bat in the second innings [against Karnataka]. This happened under the supervision of the RCA (Rajasthan Cricket Association). They gave me permission for the MRI and even booked my tickets back to Udaipur,” Menaria said. 

“Then, suddenly I saw news in the media that ‘Ashok Menaria doesn’t want to play and gets injured on purpose’. I gave my entire career to the State. I had injuries, operations and won the Ranji Trophy with the team. But when they should have taken care of me, they gave such a statement in the media,” he added.