Delhi faces exodus of stars

New Delhi, February 5: The writing is on the wall and the DDCA president, the association administrators and the selectors simply refuse to read it. The ominous signs were there at the start of the season, what with states like Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat and even Andhra eyeing their top stars as professionals, but fortunately for the Delhi team, all players decided to stay put for one simple reason —- their belief that this season, with a good team and influx of promising juniors, they can go on to win the Ranji Trophy.

But the association’s lack of concern, the manner in which things have transpired in the Raman Lamba dressing room this season and the way in which some seniors in the team have faced humiliation — for example the way questions were raised about the utility in the side of Vijay Dahiya, Amit Bhandari and Rahul Sanghvi — many in the dressing room have more or less made up their mind to pack their bags. It was their home for close to a decade.

According to sources close to the team, the impending exodus from the Delhi team will leave the side starved of ‘star’ value. Though star Indian opener and Delhi skipper Virender Sehwag wasn’t available for comment, there are strong hints that the Haryana Cricket Association has approached him and that the offer is still open.

Gautam Gambhir, meanwhile, admits he “had offers from four states” at the start of the season but he didn’t take them up because it was his dream to make Delhi win the Ranji Trophy. “It’s a team that has given so much to me, and I really thought that with such a good mix of seniors and juniors, we could do it this season. But the way things went about, we messed it up big time. And yes, now that I see my dream in tatters, I wouldn’t rule out a rethink at the start of next season,” he says candidly.

Ashish Nehra admits he had an offer that he turned down. “Yes, I had an offer to play as a pro this season for another state but I turned it down. But the way things have shaped up, I wouldn’t mind now considering another offer,” he says.

Ditto for Mitthun Manhas. The most recent ‘former skipper’ in the Delhi dressing room says, “I’m sad and hurt by the manner in which the sack came. But I am going to give my best under Shikhar (Dhawan) and also ensure that he gets the best support from all seniors in the side.” He adds, “from a future perspective, I wouldn’t rule out contemplating if any offer as a pro comes through at this point of time.”

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