The last season had ended on an unpleasant note following Gambhir’s outburst against coach K. P. Bhaskar. Following an inquiry by a three-member disciplinary committee constituted by DDCA Administrator Justice (Retd) Justice Sen, the former India opener was handed a suspended sentence that banned him for four matches.
Gambhir is regarded as one of the finest Delhi batsman and had contributed handsomely in its last Ranji Trophy triumph in 2008 with a scintillating unbeaten century as Delhi made a mockery of the chase to win by nine wickets. Gambhir’s fellow performer in that match, left-arm seamer Pradeep Sangwan, is likely to miss this season due to a shoulder surgery.
The unfortunate incident involving Gambhir and Bhaskar had brought the curtain down on a difficult season where Delhi had struggled to come to terms with the challenges. Bhaskar had received support from most quarters even as Gambhir took the flap.
One of the senior selectors had slammed Gambhir for his behaviour. So had a member of the Cricket Advisory Committee, who was part of the disciplinary committee which had censured Gambhir.
A truce between Bhaskar and Gambhir is being brokered by some seniors who claim Delhi needs the services of the left-handed batsman, who aggregated 235 in eight innings last season. Gambhir, incidentally, could not earn a place in any of the three teams for the ongoing Duleep Trophy.
Even as some former cricketers felt giving Gambhir the reign of captaincy could be a retrograde step there is a section which believes that his presence could boost Delhi’s chances since the team is expected to be without some key players this season due to commitments in series against New Zealand ‘A’ and Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka later.
Much, however, would depend on Bhaskar and Manoj Prabhakar, who was appointed bowling coach this season, accepting the move to retain Gambhir as the captain.
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