BY DNCA REPORTER,
In the high-stakes final of Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) politics, former India wicket-keeper Kiran More has walked out to the crease with his pads on and his tongue sharpened. The Arjuna Awardee, now spearheading the Revival 31 panel as their presidential candidate, has launched a blistering attack on the rival Royal Satyamev Jayate alliance — a combo that’s got the Royal Group’s blue blood and the Satyamev Jayate faction batting together against him.
More didn’t mince his words in his recent public address — it was less a polite stump speech and more a proper bouncer barrage aimed straight at the helmet of the opposition.
The Yorker That Started It All
Kiran pulled no punches when he accused the Royal Satyamev Jayate panel of trying to suppress genuine voices and hijack the progress that the Revival group had painstakingly built over the years. “We delivered the world-class Kotambi stadium — a project that was stuck in the crease for ages,” More thundered. “We modernised facilities, gave young talent proper nets, hosted big matches. And now this new alliance wants to walk in and claim the glory without having faced a single delivery in the trenches.”
He went on to label the sudden Royal–Satyamev Jayate tie-up as a “marriage of convenience” rather than a genuine partnership for Baroda cricket. “One side brings the royal legacy, the other brings the slogan ‘Satyamev Jayate’ — but where is the satya (truth) when negotiations were still on with us just days before they stitched this deal behind closed doors?” More asked, implying a classic case of behind-the-stumps politicking.
Playing the Player Card
Drawing from his own career behind the stumps, Kiran More reminded the gathering of members: “I have kept wickets to the likes of Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram — I know when someone is trying to sledge from cover rather than play straight.” He accused the opposing camp of running a negative campaign while pretending to be positive, and claimed they were more interested in grabbing posts than genuinely developing grassroots cricket in Vadodara.
“Cricket, cricket, cricket — that’s what Baroda needs,” More declared, borrowing and flipping the famous line often heard from rival corners. “Not royal echo, not just slogans of truth prevailing — we need action, transparency, and results on the ground. The Revival group has the scoreboard to prove it. What does the other side have except a last-minute alliance?”
The Kotambi Masterstroke
The former India ‘keeper repeatedly came back to the Kotambi stadium — the crown jewel of Revival’s tenure. “That stadium wasn’t built by press releases or fancy slogans,” he said. “It was built by hard work, by fighting delays, by putting cricket first. And now they want to parade it as their achievement? That’s like claiming a hundred after coming in at 250 for no loss!”
He also took a dig at the sudden “positive campaign” promise from the Royal Satyamev Jayate side. “Positive campaign? After suppressing voices for years and then forming an opportunistic front? That’s like a tail-ender promising to bat through the innings after the top order has collapsed.”
The Verdict Awaits on 15 February
As the BCA elections loom on 15 February 2026, Kiran More’s speech has clearly set the tone: this is no gentleman’s game anymore. It’s a proper contest — gloves off, helmets on, short ball after short ball.
Whether the Royal Satyamev Jayate alliance can counter the aggression or whether More’s straight drives will pierce the field remains to be seen. But one thing is certain — the former stumper has given notice: he’s not here to keep wickets quietly; he’s here to take the match by the scruff of the neck.
Baroda cricket watchers have their eyes glued. The final overs are coming up fast — and truth (satyamev) may indeed prevail… but only after the umpires (voters) raise the finger.
Play on, Vadodara. Play on. 🏏
