Calling the top brass of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) laidback would probably be an understatement, for their callous attitude towards their Ranji Trophy side is clearly evident in their everyday operations.
Ranji champions Delhi take on Pakistan's Quaid-e-Azam Trophy winners Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited in the Mohammad Nissar Trohpy tie starting at the Kotla on September 15 but the team is yet to be selected. The reason? Absence of a selection panel!
Moreover, chances of a panel being formed soon too is doubtful, considering the fact that the DDCA is occupied with matters that can hardly be called as those belonging to the cricketing kind. The appropriate word in this case is legal, with the Tees Hazari Court imposing a stay on sports committee elections and directing the DCCA to conduct them afresh.
Incidentally, it's the sports committee which usually proposes the names of selectors, which are then forwarded to the executive committee for approval. Insiders say the court case will not affect selection procedures, as the present committee headed by Sunil Dev will do the job soon.
Chetan Chauhan, who headed the selection panel last season, sounded optimistic. “We will constitute one in two-three days and the camp for the same will start off immediately. We will call a meeting for the same shortly,” he said. “What do you mean the camp is not on? It’s already happening,” said Dev. Apparently, he was referring to the bowlers' camp where some 30-odd cricketers have been practising for the last one month in Kotla.
{{/usCountry}}Chetan Chauhan, who headed the selection panel last season, sounded optimistic. “We will constitute one in two-three days and the camp for the same will start off immediately. We will call a meeting for the same shortly,” he said. “What do you mean the camp is not on? It’s already happening,” said Dev. Apparently, he was referring to the bowlers' camp where some 30-odd cricketers have been practising for the last one month in Kotla.
{{/usCountry}}But when clarified that the Ranji camp has not yet started, he merely said: “You speak to the (DDCA) president about it. I am currently in Bangalore.”
Delhi coach Vijay Dahiya, however, said: "If you talk about the fitness camp, it has already taken place and now you have the bowlers' camp where even the batsmen turn up, so our practice has been going on."