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Worse than the past: Politicos' sons walk into Delhi T20 team

unmukt-chand The inclusion of Pappu Yadav's son Ranjeet Ranjan raised eyebrows as much as the dropping of Unmukt Chand [pictured] from the T20 squad | File

MP Pappu Yadav's son was selected though he was not part of the Ranji team

The unravelling of the latest events at the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) is bringing back memories of murky times of the recent past when discredited, corrupt old guard brought nothing but notoriety and infamy to the association. One cannot help but wonder if black hands are getting back in business at the DDCA. It has also brought back fears of questionable team selection owing to compromises, and external and internal pressures on coaches and selectors by influential former DDCA bosses. 

On January 6, when the team for Delhi’s campaign in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2017-18 was announced, it took the state cricket one step back after a couple forwards. And this, after certain things changing for the better in the current season under the watch of the Delhi High Court-appointed administrator Justice (retd) Vikramjit Sen. The Cricket Affairs Committee (CAC), headed by former India player Madan Lal, was constituted to run all cricket-related affairs of the DDCA. The Delhi under-23 team had won the Col C.K. Nayudu Trophy for the first time ever, selection trials for various age-group teams of the DDCA took place smoothly as compared to the past and Delhi had reached the finals of the Ranji Trophy after a decade. 

So far so good. 

However, Delhi's loss to Vidarbha led to things going in a downward spiral subsequently.

A meeting was called by Justice Sen “since the coach had expressed reservations about the team that was proposed for the upcoming domestic Twenty 20 tournament, in light of the fact that the criteria set up by the administrator regarding the selections was not followed.” It was alleged that fitness reports and last year's performance records of the players were not available with the selection committee which met on January 4 at Feroz Shah Kotla ground. 

Interestingly, according to the minutes of the meeting—a copy of which is available with THE WEEK—coach K. Bhaskar Pillai, selectors Atul Wassan (chairman), Hari Gidwani and Robin Singh, and representative of the Cricket Affairs Committee (CAC) Amita Sharma were “unanimous in their decision” to include Sarthak Ranjan, Kshitij Sharma and Shelly Shaurya in the initial list. 

While Ranjan and Sharma managed to make it to the approved, final squad, Shaurya was outrightly rejected by Sen.

The inclusion of Ranjan, son of jailed MP Pappu Yadav and Ranjeet Ranjan, the Congress MP from Purnia, raised eyebrows, as much as the dropping of Unmukt Chand from the squad. As per the minutes, Ranjan’s selection was red flagged by Sen as  “he has not played either in the Ranji or junior team this season. In the last season also, his performance did not stand out. Despite these objections, selectors were unanimous in their decision that his capability was exceptional and should be retained in the squad.”

Reacting to criticisms over Ranjan’s selection, Wassan told news agency ANI, “There are other players too, who didn't play in the past but performed well when selected. We've picked new talent to give them a chance. This isn't a step taken under any political influence.” 

Then came the selection of Kshitij. He had not played for any Delhi team in 2017 in any format. But apparently, he has the alleged backing of a former DDCA official who is currently in the BCCI.  

As for Shaurya, who had not played for the DDCA at all and whose performance in the first half of 2017 was unknown to selectors, was accommodated directly to the initial final team. “Justice Sen refused to accept his name outright as he felt it would be demoralising for a player who had been with the association and had better record. This was also a pre-established qualification criteria.” 

It was noted in the meeting that “the coach did not place any objections to the above players and selectors were unanimous in their decision to include these players in the squad. G.S. Vivek, convenor CAC, however, put on record his objection to selection of proposed players.” 

Prior to the January 6 meeting, the team management comprising coach Pillai, bowling coach Manoj Prabhakar and manager Shankar Saini were individually called and questioned by members of Justice Sen’s office and CAC on January 4 to explain reasons for the team's loss in the Ranji final. 

Simultaneously, the team management and selectors picked a squad for the upcoming T20 competition. However, the announcement was delayed as it was yet to be approved by Sen. Also, as per Madan Lal and selectors, there were “issues” related to discipline and fitness of certain players. The discipline issue was pertaining to a senior-most player whose alleged aloofness from the team has not gone down well with the selectors and coaches. 

Then there was the issue of Ranji skipper Rishabh Pant’s captaincy. With runs drying up, it was felt that his captaincy was suffering. But until January 4, he was still in contention to be the wicketkeeper in short formats. 

But soon, Delhi veteran Pradeep Sangwan’s name was doing rounds as it was felt that a senior like him could “manage” another senior like Gautam Gambhir. His selection and choice as captain was unanimous by the selection committee and coach.  A few young players who were offered captaincy had supposedly turned down the offer as they were reluctant to run into Gambhir who had mentored a few in the past. Gambhir, though a top performer for Delhi in Ranji Trophy, lied low after his fracas with Pillai last season and subsequent imposition of a four-match ban by Sen post disciplinary hearing. 

It is learnt that the CAC and selectors are angry with all rounder Manan Sharma’s injury status not being shared by the team management, trainer and physio. Sharma did not bowl in the second innings of the match. He was eventually dropped for hiding the extent of his injury. Milind Kumar was also dropped over similar concerns. 

However, in all this mess, unfortunately, Unmukt Chand, a genuine player but slightly low on confidence and performance ended up missing the bus. 

It is reliably learnt that Sen was reluctant to interfere and take a call on every selection as it would amount to interference in cricketing matters. It is quite unfortunate that the CAC, formed and empowered to take a call on such matters, rather ended up being a mute spectator to shocking selections and omissions. Silence of an otherwise vocal CAC chief Madan Lal and other members has left Sen and his team stunned. 

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