A storm brewing in Delhi cricket - Rajat Bhatia lashes out at DDCA

Rajat Bhatia, during happier times

Former Delhi allrounder Rajat Bhatia, who was omitted from the Delhi squad for their Ranji Trophy opener against Rajasthan, has categorically slammed the Delhi and District Cricket Association.

The seasoned domestic stalwart was expunged from the team, after the DDCA selection committee was embroiled in a ludicrous maelstrom in which 3 seperate squads were picked for the pre-season camp by 3 different factions within the Delhi cricket board. The practice nets which took place earlier in the week was riddled with havoc following reports revealing the pathetic maintenance of the turf pitches and inadequate supply of quality cricket balls.

"I turned up at the nets on Thursday only to find out that hardly anything was in place a week before the first Ranji game," Bhatia told PTI. "There were not enough balls to practise with and something as basic as drinking water was also hard to find. And then later in the day, I found out that I was dropped from the team. I have not seen a worse time than this."

He also explained that the entire issue was unfortunate and the young players are being deterred from focusing on the upcoming domestic season. Bhatia believed that the DDCA should prioritize the players’ interest over administrative squabbles.

The seam bowling all-rounder who plays for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, has been a consistent performer in the domestic circuit. He has scored over 5000 runs and snaffled almost 120 wickets from 95 matches. His experience and canny use of subtle variations makes him a valuable commodity at a time wherein the first-class pitches in India are becoming greener, with every passing season.

There were also murmurs regarding the terse relationship between Bhatia and Delhi skipper, Gautam Gambhir, reaching its tipping point. But, Bhatia was pragmatic in his assessment and stated that the former India opener was entitled to his own decision. After plying his trade for Newport in Shropshire County Cricket League with considerable success, he maintained that “he still had a few years left in him.”

Bhatia felt that the improptu resolution by the DDCA selectors has jeopardized his chances of looking at an opportunity in other states, for this domestic season. He discerned that the mass exodus of veteran cricketers such as Virender Sehwag and Mithun Manhas who have signed up for other teams has exposed the mess in which Delhi cricket is currently in. But, he hoped that common sense would eventually prevail and the situation could then improve drastically.