Developments in the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) aimed at reviving cricketing culture in the city and recognising its players continue under Justice (retd) Vikramajit Sen.
After naming one of the Feroz Shah Kotla gates after Virender Sehwag, the High Court-appointed administrator has now constituted an Honours Committee to look into and decide on naming the other gates and various stands of the stadium after distinguished former Delhi cricketers.
“It is essential that DDCA recognises and honours retired cricketers who are the quintessence of a cricketing body.
“Recognition of sportsmen and their contribution is not only just but also a great source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers,” Justice Sen said.
The five-member Honours Committee includes DDCA member and noted commentators Dr. Narottam Puri and Ravi Chaturvedi and senior journalists Neeru Bhatia and Vijay Lokapally, under the chairmanship of Justice (retd.) Mukul Mudgal.
Bedi, Amarnath stands
Among the decisions taken by the committee are: Hosting the DDCA annual conclave on November 29 at the Kotla with former captain Bishan Singh Bedi as the keynote speaker.
Two of the stadium stands will be named after Bedi and Mohinder Amarnath.
Anjum Chopra will become the second Delhi cricketer to be honoured with a gate in her name.
The Arjuna and Padma Shri awardee former India captain will have her name on Gates 3-4 of the Kotla.
The DDCA will also felicitate all players who have captained Delhi over the years and inaugurate the renovated MAK Pataudi Hall of Fame.
In an attempt to put a structure in place for any future honours for former players, the committee has recommended a minimum of 35 Tests to name any area (gate/stand/pavilion).
Accordingly, several other players such as Chetan Chauhan, Madan Lal, Maninder Singh, Manoj Prabhakar will be honoured.
Active cricketers, including Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan, will be honoured after their retirement.
It was unanimously decided to honour veteran coaches Gurcharan Singh and Tarak Sinha for their contributions over the years.
The home team dressing room will be renamed the Raman Lamba Dressing Room, while visiting sides will occupy the Prakash Bhandari dressing room, in recognition of the first Test cricketer from Delhi.
The annual DDCA awards for meritorious performances during the domestic season was also in the process of being finalised, Justice Sen said.
