Delhi selectors pick Yogesh ‘purely as batsman’ after the off-spinner is called for suspect action again

Aakash Chopra’s captaincy was sharply reviewed, alternatives discussed as well, but other than that, there was little to debate as the DDCA senior selection committee named the squad of 15 for the first two Ranji games, expectedly handing over caps to seamer Pawan Suyal and left-arm spinner Darshan Kajania.

However, it was the curious case of Yogesh Nagar that has been the talking point on Monday. It has thrown Delhi’s preparations haywire before the start of the season and also made Vijay Dahiya the first coach to stand on brink of facing a year’s ban under the BCCI’s new rule to curb suspect bowling action.

Part-time off-spinner Nagar was called for throwing in Delhi’s last T20 game against Services on Sunday, and thereby his name, along with the coach’s name, has been noted and a second call in a season will automatically result in the coach getting a ban for encouraging the particular bowler to bowl while the player will be sent for corrective measures. Nagar, who also bowled for Delhi Daredevils in the IPL and the Champions League, was called twice last season and was sent for correction before returning back again this season. The IPL governing council is also contemplating to advise franchisees to exclude bowlers on BCCI’s suspect list from next year’s edition.

Chairman of selectors Chetan Chauhan has sent out a strong message to the team management to put a blanket ban on his bowling considering Nagar purely a batsman while deciding the playing XI. “Yes, we are aware about Nagar being called and we have told the team management not to put the player’s future in jeopardy and should be considered in the XI solely as a batsman,” Chauhan told Sportline.

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