No matter how many runs a city cricketer scores or wickets he takes, he won't be able to wear the lion-crested Mumbai cap till he completes three years of active cricket in the city.

The MCA in its managing committee meeting on Monday decided to extend the two-year period in local cricket to three years for non-resident Mumbaikars.

From two to three
Though the two-year rule was already in existence, it was never followed seriously, according to a MCA official.
However, MCA vice-president Dilip Vengsarkar told MiD DAY yesterday: "We will follow it from now on. We don't want non-Mumbai players to use our facilities and platform and that is why we have taken this decision. If you really want to play for Mumbai then you have to play local cricket for three years."

However, it remains to be seen whether Mumbai cricket is best served with the stringent ruling. Coaches have refused to place on record their disagreement to the new ruling in the fear of facing the MCA's wrath.

One of them said, "I am not too sure whether this ruling serves any purpose in the interest of Mumbai cricket.

Can the MCA afford to deprive a performer from not making it to a team just because he has not completed three years in Mumbai?

"They ought to remember that Mumbai cricket has not been in the best of health for long now. I am not concerned about the number of Ranji Trophy titles we have because that is not a true indication of Mumbai cricket's strength."

Other issues
Shardashram High School coach Naresh Churi said rules are easier to make than to implement. "We had a two-year rule, but was it followed? One can easily get a fake certificate and document to prove that he is a resident of Mumbai," he said.

The main issue that the MCA needs to tackle is of over-aged players, said Churi. "We are not worried of outsiders playing here. All we want is a level playing field. Bone tests are done but they are not foolproof."