DDCA mess: three different lists of Ranji probables

 The upheaval within the Delhi District and Cricket Association (DDCA) on Saturday reached a crescendo with three separate lists of probables for the upcoming Ranji Trophy season being issued by different factions.

Both DDCA vice-president Chetan Chauhan and joint secretary (sports) Anil Jain sent separate list of probables to the media. To add to the confusion a third list also emerged later, issued by member of DDCA executive committee Ashok Sharma.

There was no mention of captain in the list issued by Chauhan and had named of former India cricketer Madan Lal as mentor-advisor. The Jain’s list, in contrast, had named Gautam Gambhir the captain with the press release stating that “Chairman Selection Committee and captain Sri Gautam Gambhir are authorised to include talented player if any for the camp.”  

 “How can you select a captain without an executive committee meeting?  I have been asking them to hold the meeting but the DDCA president Sneh Bansal does not want it. Someone had to take the step. I am well within my rights to declare probables and I did so after speaking to the factions of sports committee, members of executive committee and selector Vinay Lamba. Some of the members of Sports committee wanted to add more names but I refused. I told them they can bring those names in front of the selection committee if they want,” Chauhan told Deccan Herald.

“I have gone through the performances of last year’s Ranji Trophy and of under-23 and under-19 players. And one cannot question the credibility of Madan Lal.”

Jain on the other hand questioned Chauhan’s right to select the probables and said he would be appointing the selectors shortly. “It is only the joint secretary of sports who can announce the team and the captain. There was little time left for Ranji  Trophy and we had to announce the team, “ he said.