Delhi Ranji skipper Gautam Gambhir has been banned by DDCA for a total of four first-class games for 2017/18 season for involving in an ugly spat with coach KP Bhaskar.
“Having learnt from an incident, which occurred when the team from DDCA was in Orissa, in which an altercation between Gautam Gambhir and Bhaskar Pillai had transpired, and pursuant to a complaint received from Pillai, I met both persons on 10th March 2017. The matter could not be amicably and satisfactorily resolved.
“The Committee Members agree that considering the above facts and circumstances that have come to light,
“The Committee Members agree that considering the above facts and circumstances that have come to light, Mr Gambhir’s actions towards Mr Pillai with premeditated intent to humiliate the coach were highly inappropriate and of serious nature. It is recommended that such inappropriate behavior requires to be penalised not only in a proportionate manner, but in a manner that has a deterrent effect so that it is not repeated and such issues are taken seriously by all team members,” Sen said in a statement.
Gambhir was involved in an ugly spat with KP Bhaskar, alleging that the former Delhi batsman for playing with careers youngsters like Unmukt Chand, Nitish Rana and Navdeep Saini. Gambhir was irked by the way Unmukt Chand, who was the captain of India A in 2015, was not given a place in the side.
A failure in first three games from Nitish Rana saw Unmukt being called back in the team to replace Rana, which added to the anger and then Gambhir confronted coach KP Bhaskar after Delhi’s exit from the tournament. DDCA was quick to take notice of it and both were called for a meeting in the month of March by the state board. Working on it, Gambhir has been found guilty and has been banned for four first-class games which will be effective in 2017/18 season.
It comes as a big blow for the state capital as now they have either and captaincy to Rishabh Pant or go back to Chand, whom they dropped citing poor form. Should Rishab be on national duty, Chand will be the obvious choice for selectors as he led Delhi in two Ranji games last season when Gambhir was called in the Test squad for series against New Zealand.
Another issue prevails in Delhi camp as if Rishabh is able to seal his place in the national squad, then Delhi will have to search for a new wicketkeeper as well. The race will be between Mohit Ahlawat and Arjun Gupta for the job.