Delhi’s loss is Rajasthan’s gain. Miffed at the Delhi &District Cricket Association’s (DDCA) indifference, Manoj Prabhakar has given his consent to become Rajasthan’s chief coach for the next domestic season.

“Yes, Tarak Sinha (director of coaching, Rajasthan Academy) approached me and I agreed immediately. I will be travelling to Jaipur on Tuesday to have detailed talks and sign the contract,” Prabhakar told Sportline on Monday. The former India all-rounder took the decision after DDCA ignored his request to be upgraded from bowling coach to chief coach last season. Even though the sate association maintained he was under contract with Delhi, Prabhakar abstained from attending any training sessions or travelling with the side.

Rajasthan had fired Ian Fraser midway following a disastrous last season and player rebellion, with Taposh Chatterjee taking temporary charge to help the team avoid relegation. With Greg Chappell also quitting the Academy and the state association reins shifting from Lalit Modi to Sanjay Dixit, the state association has undergone a complete overhaul.

“I know Rajasthan have had a new coach every season recently but I know my job better than anyone else. I also want to prove a point to some people and that’s why I accepted the offer. Everyone has talent; it’s just about working hard with them and moulding them into match-winners,” Prabhakar said. “Rajasthan haven’t ‘t had great success but I am confident of putting up a good show,” he said.

Prabhakar also questioned Delhi’s decline last season. “The same players who won the year before were there in the team; only I wasn’t part of the coaching staff. So why there was such a shoddy performance? I don’t want to say anything more but if DDCA chooses to ignore what is evident, I can’t do anything,” he said.

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