Jaitley says he appreciates players' concerns

The unrest in the Delhi and District Cricket Association appears to have ended with the administration convincing Virender Sehwag and other players who had protested against it to remain in Delhi cricket. Arun Jaitley, the DDCA president, said the players' concerns were put across "in a dignified manner and were well appreciated by us".

"I hope everybody plays happily together, which they will," Jaitley said.

Jaitley's statements came at a press conference on Tuesday, a day after he met Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, in the presence of former India captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi. He spoke at length but on broad themes, without mentioning specifics or making any concrete commitments.

Sehwag's main concern with the running of Delhi cricket was with the selection process, both at Ranji and junior levels. Jaitley said they had addressed both issues. "The principle concern was that steps are required to be taken to ensure that the selection process of the teams is absolutely fair," Jaitley said, "and, secondly, no interference of any kind in that process is acceptable or to be tolerated."

He admitted that more care was needed with the selection process at junior levels. "The effort of those who assess the performance in junior cricket has to be more," he said. "Because people are still maturing, still developing, assessment is also difficult. In fact we would like some of our most tested and trusted selectors, if some of them can, to spend their time even on junior cricket."

Jaitley hinted at a reduction in the size of the selection committee. "Suggestions were also made about reducing the size of the selection committee. My colleagues have also discussed it, and this suggestion has also found favour with most of them - in fact all of my colleagues."

The selection at junior levels has always been a major bone of contention, with allegations that it is there that the sports committee obliges the various people that ensue that it remains in power. It has also been alleged that the sports committee, by way of favours, keeps the executive committee appeased and exercises its power unchecked. When asked why the sports committee's recommendations were almost never overruled, Jaitley said: "I can tell you the best way to run the system is to not confront your own bodies. You have to reconcile with your bodies, you can make suggestions, and I have not found them in defiance of the executive committee. I don't think they will be."

Jaitley also said that they were looking at the feasibility of a "cricket advisory body, comprising senior players" and he had already sought suggestions on this. "In principle there is absolutely no difficulty. But we have to explore the idea - what functions it can perform and to shortlist individuals who can fit into that role and are also willing to give some time. It's a matter that will be required to be explored."

Sehwag had threatened last week to quit Delhi cricket if the selection process didn't become more transparent. "There is too much interference and manipulation from the sports committee in selection committees," Sehwag had said. "The sports committee has got too much power. There is more interference at the under-16 and under-19 levels than the Ranji Trophy. In a squad of 15, for instance, the sports committee tries to influence the selectors and slip in one or two of 'their own' boys." With Sehwag many other players found voice, and Gautam Gambhir, Ishant Sharma, Ashish Nehra, Aakash Chopra and Mithun Manhas also threatened to leave.