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Virender Sehwag has quit Delhi, the domestic side he has played for over 17 years ever since his debut in 1997/98, and will play for Haryana in the upcoming season. Sehwag has himself said that he is making the switch to give more opportunities to Delhi youngsters, but his troubled relation with Delhi’s cricket administration has also been cited as a possible reason, according to ESPNcricinfo.
“I am really looking forward to playing for Haryana this domestic season. It is an exciting setup with a lot of youngsters in the side," Sehwag said. "It will be nice to share the dressing room with a side that is bubbling with youth. I will be looking to share my experiences with them and hopefully shape some of their careers in the process."
The 37-year-old Sehwag found some form during last season’s Ranji Trophy, scoring 568 runs an average of 51.63 in eight matches, including two centuries. He finished only a run behind captain Gautam Gambhir, who was the highest run-getter for Delhi. However, youngster Milind Kumar was benched all through the year.
Haryana, on the other hand, are endowed with a balanced bowling attack, led by Mohit Sharma and Amit Mishra, but possess an unstable batting order.
Admire and appreciate Sehwag’s contribution: DDCA
Sehwag has always had a difficult relationship with the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) and even threatened to walk out in 2009, alleging nepotism and corruption in the organisation.
It has also been reported previously that unpaid match fees from the last season is another reason why Delhi’s cricket board is unpopular with its players at the moment, and why Sehwag might walk out.
"He has applied for an NOC. Considering he is a very senior player and has got a better offer for personal reasons, we will respect his desire to move on," DDCA vice-president Chetan Chauhan said about Sehwag’s move. "We seriously admire his achievements and appreciated his contribution to Delhi and Indian cricket."
Sehwag is the most successful cricketer ever from Delhi, playing 104 Tests, 251 ODIs & 19 T20Is and scoring more than 17,000 international runs for India.
Another Delhi heavyweight, Mithun Manhas, has also followed Sehwag out of the Delhi side – making this a mini-exodus of senior players. Gautam Gambhir remains the most senior player in the team, and it also thought Unmukt Chand can be called upon to lead the side this season.
Sehwag’s is one among many transfers ahead of the 2015-16 domestic season, with Wasim Jaffer’s move from Mumbai to Vidarbha and Pragyan Ojha’s from Hyderabad to Bengal being the more high profile ones.
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