Ranchi: In the run-up to the Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) elections, presidential candidate Ajay Nath Shahdeo, along with his panel named ‘The Team,’ launched a comprehensive election manifesto on Thursday. Titled “Our Vision for Jharkhand Cricket,” the manifesto presents a strategic roadmap to revamp cricket in the state across all levels.
The vision emphasizes creating a cricket-first ecosystem, fostering transparency in administration, and ensuring inclusive growth across regions and categories.
Key features of the manifesto include cricketer-centric decision-making, active involvement of former players in governance, and implementation of a transparent player selection process at every level. Shahdeo’s team has committed to elevating JSCA teams into the top four nationally across formats and age categories.
A central pillar of the vision is the creation of a world-class cricket academy with a year-round training model based on a pyramid structure. Additionally, a state-of-the-art rehabilitation and recovery centre is proposed in Ranchi, supported by regional units.
The manifesto also outlines plans to revamp the current league and school cricket systems with improved scheduling, standardized formats, and a strong performance tracking framework. The panel aims to re-establish JSCA’s influence within the BCCI and position Jharkhand as a cricketing hub of Eastern India through strategic collaborations with BCCI and media stakeholders.
To strengthen domestic cricket, the document proposes the launch of high-performance programs in collaboration with former international players. A major highlight is the revival of the Jharkhand Premier League (JPL) with a franchise-based format, professional broadcasting, sponsorship engagement, and enhanced fan interaction.
Women’s cricket has also been given high priority, with promises to build dedicated training facilities and organize regular competitions. Additional commitments include upgrading district-level infrastructure, launching a state-wide talent identification and monitoring initiative, and involving former cricketers in coaching and mentorship roles.
The manifesto further proposes to professionalize umpiring and scoring to make them sustainable career pathways.
As the JSCA election race intensifies, Ajay Nath Shahdeo’s detailed and forward-looking plan sets a strong and competitive tone — reflecting his panel’s deep commitment to transparency, professionalism, and grassroots cricket development.