Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) on Thursday sacked the senior selection committee comprising former national selectors Gagan Khoda, Mayank Sidhana and Anil Bhardwaj on the same day Saurashtra defeated the state team in a Ranji Trophy group league match.
The Delhi senior team lost to Saurashtra by an innings and 214 runs on Thursday and are now two points from four matches.
On Day 1, Delhi were reduced to 10/7 inside the first hour on a damp wicket and it could have been more embarrassing.
A visibly incensed president Rohan Jaitley shot off a scathing email to all apex councils, a day after PTI reported on the DDCA rift following Sidhana’s ‘walkout’ following a rift with Khoda over U-25 team selection . The members put “on record” their “disapproval” over the way the DDCA’s men’s selection committee was functioning.
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“Yes, the Cricket Advisory Committee comprising Nikhil Chopra, Gursharan Singh and Reema Malhotra will select the team for the next three matches as Delhi are already out. A senior DDCA director told PTI on condition of anonymity, “After the public fall of Sidhana and Khoda, the office-bearers have approved the sacking of the committee.”
Jaitley’s e-mail, which is in the possession of PTI, was a confidence of sorts for all three.
“I am compelled to write this mail, to register my disapproval at the way the men’s selection committees of DDCA are discharging their affairs. It seems that such committees are working without any vision and mission.
In fact, Chairman Khoda’s habit of selecting 22 players for every match has been openly questioned by the DDCA President.
injured player in place of injured player
Jaitley, without taking names, revealed how an injured player was sent in place of an injured player.
“The way players are being selected and replaced at the drop of a hat has become the talk of the town. In a recent meeting it was reported that a replacement was sent for a senior player who was said to be injured, on arrival the replacement was also declared injured and another replacement was sent.
“Despite clearly informing the committee that the strength of players will be restricted to 15-16 players, the committee has repeatedly recommended a 20-22 member squad for each team. So these committees are not only bringing disrespect to DDCA but also to the game of cricket.”
No India Prospect in current Delhi set-up
It must be mentioned that young captain Yash Dhull’s arbitrary decision to bat lower down the order has raised many questions on his temperament. Even on flat pitches, it is understood that Dhull does not want to face seam and swing bowlers.
Jaitley was taken aback by the fact that Delhi currently did not have a single player who could ideally be called a potential India player.
“There was a time when there were at least 4 to 5 Delhi players in the Indian team. Today the situation is such that we cannot name a single player whom we (management and selectors) see as a possible candidate for the national team. job despite being given a “free hand and full support”.
“The complete lack of planning for Delhi Cricket is evident on the face of it, more as regards vision and future course as discussed and planned… It is unfortunate that the selection committee has shown less commitment towards the same. ” In fact, Jaitley’s mail to the members of the apex council also contained a January 4 PTI report.
“Having disagreements and discussions is one part, however, having fights and taking those issues into the public domain is another. Copies of media reports, articles in print and electronic media are being attached to this mail for ready reference of all (attached as Annexure-A).
Former national selectors not participating in trial matches
He came down heavily on Khoda for not attending the trial games.
“If the selectors are busy with their personal work and are unable to participate in the selection process, which is a time sensitive matter, it would have been prudent for such selectors to inform the DDCA about their busyness and inability to continue.” Jaitley also questioned the manner in which former India fast bowler Pankaj Singh was not allowed to attend the U-25 selection meeting in his capacity as head coach.
“In my view, it is of paramount importance that not only does the head coach attend each and every selection committee meeting, his views should also be taken into account before any final decision on selection is taken.
“It is of great importance when the selectors wash their hands by commenting that “we select the team and the coach selects the playing XI”. Apart from pink slip, financial penalty may also have to be faced.
“There is a need to deal appropriately with individuals who defame the organisation. The role of the selectors is one that has been aptly summarized as ‘Caesar’s wife should be above suspicion’.
To Jaitley, it was clear that the selectors were “more involved in personal matters than serving Delhi cricket”.
Instead of serving the players and Delhi cricket, they indulged in abusing and street fighting.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)