Unmukt's college blues

Unmukt Chand, captain of India's Under-19 World Cup winning team, may be the toast of the country right now but back in his college he's just another student paying the price for skipping classes. Chand, 19, a first-year Arts student in New Delhi's prestigious St Stephen's College, has not been promoted to the second year as he does not have the required attendance. "There is no way he can be promoted. The rules don't permit that," Valson Thampu, St Stephen's principal, told DNA. "We've not detained him. Unmukt detained himself."

Unmukt was admitted to the college last year under the sports quota but cricketing engagements meant he was not able to meet the minimum attendance stipulated by the college. His lawyers say the college cannot be so strict on the attendance for students admitted via a sports quota, but Unmukt hopes the situation will get resolved soon. "I shouldn't sit here and say that the college should change its rules just because we have won the Under-19 World Cup," he said. "They have helped me a lot in the past. I have been in touch with the sports teacher and principal. I hope things are sorted out."