NEW DELHI:Ajay Jadeja has resigned as Delhi’s Ranji Trophy coach within days after taking over a state team where chaos rules supreme due to power-hungry officials. The former Indian star, according to reports, is likely to be replaced by former Indian wicket-keeper Vijay Dahiya.
Jadeja skipped Delhi’s North Zone Ranji Trophy opener versus Rajasthan in Jaipur, apparently unhappy with the way the Delhi District Cricket Association appointed a few members of the support staff. Interestingly, DDCA said Jadeja missed the Rajasthan tie because his “son was unwell.”
The bitter politics inside DDCA has been an age-old issue. In the run-up to the new season, three teams turned up representing various factions. Jadeja said the officials were using players to satisfy their greed for control.
Jadeja was appointed by nominees of the Delhi government but that did not help matters.
“Now, it seems the DDCA is back to working on its own and does not need the services of anyone appointed by the government nominees or otherwise. No one within the organisation seems to have a problem with this way of functioning. Obviously, my opinion or inputs don’t matter to DDCA. I wish Delhi cricket the best,” Jadeja has been quoted as saying.
Senior players like Virender Sehwag and Mithun Manhas have already quit Delhi. A senior player like Rajat Bhatia received the cold shoulder from the selectors and there was confusion about Ishant Sharma’s selection. All this has shown DDCA in poor light.