Delhi President intervenes as unqualified cricketer forced in as wicket-keeper in squad, orders removal
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A senior DDCA official pressured selectors to include an opening batter as the backup wicket-keeper in the Delhi U19 side; however, this controversial selection has been objected to and intervened in by the President Rohan Jaitley.
While the timely intervention by the Board president, Rohan Jaitley, helped them correct a flawed selection this time, the incident suggests the current discrepancies within the DDCA administration. Several discrepancies include conflicts of interest, questionable selection processes, and disregard for governance orders.
With the Delhi U19 team now in Ranchi for the national tournament, the Vinoo Mankad Trophy, the spotlight shifts to the players. However, amid all this, the credibility of the association itself is under scrutiny.
Dainik Jagran reports a discrepancy in the Delhi U19 team selection
Another embarrassing situation is up for the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), where a selection controversy has made the rounds on media channels ahead of the BCCI's Vinoo Mankad Trophy. The allegations on the board stated that an opening batter with no experience as a wicket-keeper has been included in the U19 team as the team's second wicket-keeper.
The 23-member squad, which was announced on the 3rd of October, had featured Abhiraj Gagan Singh as the primary wicket-keeper. However, what shocked all was that the second wicket-keeper in the side, who was listed at number 22 on the team sheet, was filled in by internal complaints, though he “doesn’t keep wickets at all,” according to a Dainik Jagran report.
After this, several DDCA officials flagged the issue directly to President Rohan Jaitley, expressing concern over their improper inclusion and personal favouritism. Jaitley too acted immediately, as the president ordered the player's removal and approved the inclusion of only a genuine wicket-keeper in his place.
A senior official is alleged to have pressured the Selector for discrepant selection
The corrected team has since left for Ranchi, where the Vinoo Mankad Trophy begins on the 9th of October. However, inside reports from the DDCA mentioned that the selectors were not at fault; instead, they blamed a senior DDCA official who exerted pressure to push the non-wicketkeeping batter into the team.
"When someone is included as a wicketkeeper despite not having any credentials for the role, it’s obvious there is a larger reason or influence at play," said a source familiar with the development.
This did not mark an end to the controversy, as two more changes had to be made to the squad. While one of these players was dropped due to discrepant documents, the other player's reason for being dropped remained undisclosed.
Delhi Officials attending Selection Meetings despite Lokpal orders
The issue has also reignited concerns about governance and transparency in the DDCA. Despite an explicit order from the association's Lokpal (Ombudsman) last year, which led to the prohibition of DDCA officials from sitting in selection committee meetings.
However, as per the latest reports, both the Delhi Board's Secretary Ashok Sharma and Joint Secretary Amit Grover reportedly attended the recent U19 selection meeting chaired by Ashu Dani. This is hence the direct violation of the Lokpal's interim order dated September 22, 2023, issued after a breach involving former secretary Siddharth Sahib Singh Verma.
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Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) Rohan Jaitley Delhi U-19 Vinoo Mankad Trophy Delhi India National Cricket Team
