In an interesting turn of events in Indian domestic circuit curator of the Ferozeshah Kotla – Venkat Sundaram – has filed an official complaint to the DDCA (Delhi & Districts Cricket Association) against Delhi captain and discarded Indian opener Gautam Gambhiraccusing him of interfering with regars to pitch preparation on Monday at a practice session. However, this is not the first time that Gambhir has had differences with the curators over the pitches.
Delhi team is preparing for the Vijay Hazare trophy which begins on Wednesday against Jammu & Kashmir.
Times of India (TOI) report, quoting sources close to DDCA, claims: “Gambhir was batting in the side nets when he saw Sundaram talking to his staff. Sundaram apparently found the pitches too dry and asked the groundsman to water the pitch. Gambhir, on the other hand, did not want it watered. Sundaram then asked the opener to stay away from pitch preparation which led to an altercation between the two.”
Curator then decided to ask DDCA officials to intervene, but they in turn asked him to file his complaint in writing.
DDCA president, Sneh Bansal, on Monday said to TOI: “We did get an official complaint from Sundaram. Yes, this has been happening for a while now. We’ll set up an enquiry on Tuesday as vice-president Chetan Chauhan is out of town. We’ll have to see to what extent Gambhir can be involved in administrative decisions.”
Gambhir rubbished the allegations insisting: “I got calls from the media saying that DDCA curator Venkat Sundaram has accused me of using abusive language. I can categorically tell you that there is no truth in this. Yes I did meet him on Monday at the Kotla ground but there was no heated argument at all. Being a well-wisher of Delhi cricket my only suggestion to Venkat Sundaram was to give us a wicket that suits the Delhi team.”
“Yes, we have differences of opinion when it comes to the nature of pitch but to say that I abused him is a piece of fiction. Being the captain of the Delhi team I have enough things to worry about and Venkat is the last person on my mind.”