The Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) is in no mood to spare Anuj Dedha, the player who orchestrated the gruesome attack on former India pacer and current DDCA chief selector Amit Bhandari.
Bhandari was watching a selection trials match with two other selectors at the St Stephen’s Cricket Ground when he was attacked. The attack took place when the first match of the day was about to end. Some men attacked Bhandari with hockey sticks and chains and when the onlookers tried to intervene, they were warned of dire consequences. Somehow Bhandari managed to escape before being taken to hospital.
Later, the Police arrested Dedha. He is currently under police custody. The attack has been condemned by many with the likes of Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag leading the charge. The duo not only slammed the attackers but also demanded a strict action for the accused player.
Disgusted to see this happen right in the heart of the Capital. This can’t slip under the carpet and I will personally ensure it doesn’t. To begin with I am calling for a life ban from all cricket for the player who orchestrated this attack post his non-selection. https://t.co/RpS6fzTcNl
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) February 11, 2019
And now DDCA president Rajat Sharma has said that there will be a meeting on Wednesday to decide the quantum of punishment. He said as of now, life ban on Dedha seemed a mere formality.
“We have a meeting tomorrow but as our former captain Gautam Gambhir has suggested, I think there is no other option left apart from imposing a life ban on this man Anuj Dedha. Whatever he has done, he only deserves exemplary punishment,” Sharma told PTI.
Sharma also said that he has summoned all age group selectors as well as some distinguished former cricketers for a meeting.
“We need to discuss selection issues but I want to assure all selectors that they should continue to fearlessly select sides. I am with them. I have met the Lt Governor Anil Baijal and requested him to ask the police authorities to probe all angles. I would like to know if there is any deep rooted conspiracy in this attack,” Sharma added.