Efforts are on to bring the senior Delhi cricketers together and thrash out the differences that have developed between them and the authorities. Former Test opener and Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) vice-president Chetan Chauhan said on Tuesday he was disappointed that things had come to a stage where some senior cricketers had threatened to play for a different State this season.
“We will certainly try to stop them. I want to talk to them and understand their grievances personally. What I have heard has mostly come through the media but I don’t understand why this sudden anger among the cricketers. They never ever gave me any hint. May be it was brewing but then why did they not come to me,” asked Chauhan, who is also the chairman of the senior selection committee.
“If someone is determined to play for some other State no one can stop him. But not when players like (Virender) Sehwag, Gautam (Gambhir) and Ashish (Nehra) are concerned. I am very disturbed,” he added.
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Chauhan was dismissive of the stand taken by the players, who have alleged corruption and relentless interference from the DDCA Sports Committee in selection matters. “They may have their reasons for having such a viewpoint but I don’t think there is corruption. That is not correct,” stressed Chauhan.
Promising to take firm steps, Chauhan said, “We know we have some shortcomings. We are not perfect. No one is perfect. But let them come to us.”
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Chauhan admitted there were flaws in the system of picking selectors and coaches. “There are some weaknesses but then there is nothing that cannot be sorted out amicably. We are here to conduct cricket and I promise them total transparency in selection matters.”
Interference
On the vexed issue of the Sports Committee dictating selection at all levels, Chauhan said, “We want to improve the system. But that can’t happen overnight. We all have been hearing these issues, including interference from the Sports Committee, for some years now.
“But we have to work together for the betterment of the game. We have suffered a lot because of the recommendation culture in Delhi. We have to bear it at the DDCA whenever there is a selection committee meeting. We will address all issues but the players have to come and tell us. As far as I am concerned, I will do everything to stop them from moving out of Delhi.”