DDCA mess: No selector at Ranji training, cash crunch

New Delhi: Delhi's senior state team began its training after a four-day break at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium but three selectors Nikhil Chopra, Atul Wassan and Robin Singh Junior were not present to check out on the players with the team set to be selected within two days.

Delhi is set to play Rajasthan at Wayanad from November 21 which will also be Shikhar Dhawan's comeback match.

It was learnt that Chopra had fever but some in the DDCA found it strange that not even one among the three turned up.

"It is not mandatory for the selectors to come at the training session. But yes, it is always better to watch the practice sessions rather than procure second hand information from coaches and support staff. At least one should have been present," a senior DDCA official told PTI.

The Delhi team has had its spate of injuries. However, all the medium pacers including Sumit Narwal and Navdeep Saini are fit to play. Pradeep Sangwan and Parvinder Awana along with Vikas Tokas also hit the straps under the watchful eyes of coch KP Bhaskar.

The other thing that has hit the team hard is the recent demonitization as the association finds it difficult to provide the players with adequate valid currency.

"In one of our recent trips, the team had paid an excess baggage penalty of Rs 1.44 lakh for the entire squad from their own pocket. Apart from the cricket coffins, one needs to understand that due to neutral venue format, all the teams need to carry excess clothing which would have to last three weeks. We are trying to deal with it," a DDCA official said.

As a precautionary measure, the players have been told to carry their credit cards and debit cards.

"Normally, the first-class teams stay at four star or five-star hotels. The players prefer to eat out as food is very costly at these facilities. We are trying to see if a package deal can be managed wherein, they don’t need to find eatery outside the hotel. Because it can happen that a restaurant may not accept a credit card. We have to be prepared for all eventualities," he added.