Touted as arguably the greatest batsmen of the modern times, Team India skipper Virat Kohli has been on a record breaking spree and recently led India to a historic 9-0 thrashing in Sri Lanka across formats. He has been an exceptional talent and has already smashed 30 ODI centuries till date and is just behind his idol and countryman Sachin Tendulkar in the century list.
Despite Kohli being lauded by all and sundry for his achievements in his international career; his home ground Feroz Shah Kotla do not have a single picture of Virat Kohli in the dressing room, and it is shocking, especially when he has already achieved so much in his career.
It is a known fact that the Delhi Cricketers aren’t respected as much they deserve and given the state of affairs at Kotla, it is hardly unusual or surprising.
“Given the state of affairs at the Kotla, this can hardly be called unusual,” said a former Delhi cricketer.
The Delhi and District Cricket Association is not known to treat its players with utmost respect and dignity. Even the infrastructural facilities don’t match up to other grounds and is an embarrassment for a Test venue.
At different times, the DDCA has promised so much to the cricketers, but in the end, it hasn’t quite worked out. In fact, many visiting teams have even complained about the lack of facilities in the dressing room. Former Indian batsman Mohinder Amarnath said that Delhi Cricket hardly respects their players.
“It is the duty of the associations to honour players who have served with distinction. No player is going to beg for such recognition,” said Amarnath. “Overseas I have seen how former players are given place of honour.”
Meanwhile, it is a recent trend to build pavilions and honour the players who have served the nation/ There are many stadiums which bestows the cricketers with such honours.