RESIGNATION

Sehwag, Chopra and Sanghvi resign from DDCA cricket committee

by Cricbuzz Staff • Published on

"However, looking at the best interest of Delhi Cricket, we would like to inform you that all 3 of us would not be able to continue with the assignment of Cricket Committee of DDCA" - Sehwag © Getty

Former India batsman, Virender Sehwag, has revealed that he kept the best interests of cricket in mind as he tendered his resignation from Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) Cricket Committee. While the dashing Indian opener confirmed the decision, it is also understood that the other two members of the committee, Aakash Chopra and Rahul Sanghvi, have followed the same route.

"We had come together and given time and effort with the idea of contributing and helping in the improvement of Delhi cricket within the framework of our role as a cricket committee," Sehwag told PTI on Monday (September 17).

"However, looking at the best interest of Delhi Cricket, we would like to inform you that all three of us would not be able to continue with the assignment of Cricket Committee of DDCA any further due to our busy schedule in day to day life," he added.

As part of their recommendations to the DDCA, the trio gave the green signal for Delhi to retain the services of former India international Manoj Prabhakar as the bowling coach of the state team, a decision that was red-flagged by the higher powers.

It set off a series of speculations with sources claiming that skipper Gautam Gambhir was against the idea of hiring Prabhakar, who has had a tainted past with match-fixing charges hovering around him. The other resources though rejected the theory and attributed the trio's resignation to possible 'conflict of interest' that would have arisen once DDCA approved the new constitution over the next few days, in accordance with the orders issued by the Supreme court of India.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior DDCA official also absolved Gambhir of any blame and insisted that the resignations were only expected with the new constitution set to take effect. "Gautam has always followed this principle that he doesn't want anyone remotely involved in malpractice like match-fixing to be a part of Delhi dressing room," he said.

"However, it is wrong to say that Sehwag and Gambhir had a tiff on Prabhakar issue as the latter was a special invitee to the panel. After the new constitution is adopted, Sehwag would have been hit by Conflict of Interest clause as he is an expert in the DDCA president's channel. Similarly, Sanghvi is associated with Mumbai Indians. So they knew they had to go," the official added.

Clarifying the matter, Gambhir himself wrote on Twitter saying he had no role in the trio's resignation. "It's being said my protest against Manoj Prabhakar's appointment as Delhi's bowling coach has led to DDCA Cricket Committee's resignation. Yes, I've always adopted zero tolerance when it comes to cricketers alleged of corruption but the real reason for their resignation as told to me by powers that be was that post-adoption of Lodha reforms on September 20th Cricket Committee will be disbanded. Just thought of clarifying," the former Indian opener wrote.

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