DDCA row erupts over Nayyar, Sood picks as joint secretary demands eligibility review

NEW DELHI: A fresh controversy has broken out at the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) over its latest round of coaching and selection appointments, with joint secretary Amit Grover formally placing on record his reservations about two proposed names.

Grover has questioned the appointments of Manu Nayyar as selector for the senior men's team and Varun Sood as assistant coach for the men's U-19 side, asking whether the duo meets the prescribed eligibility criteria. In an email sent to members of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) on Friday, a copy of which TimesofIndia.com has, Grover said he wanted his concerns on record before the selection process concluded.

Concerns placed before CAC

The email, addressed to members of the CAC and copied to the DDCA top brass, urges the committee to examine the relevant records and applicable rules before taking any final decision on the proposed appointments.

“With regard to the proposed appointments of coaches and selectors, I wish to formally place on record my reservations concerning the proposed appointment of Mr. Varun Sood and Mr. Manu Nayyar, particularly with regard to their eligibility and compliance with the prescribed criteria,” Grover wrote.

Grover emphasised that the concerns had been communicated before the completion of the selection process and, therefore, should be considered by the CAC before any appointment was finalised. He said the committee should satisfy itself that all eligibility conditions and prescribed criteria had been complied with.

Nayyar's availability question resurfaces

The reservations over Nayyar come with a notable backdrop: there was an issue with his availability last season, when he was reportedly missing due to commitments in an overseas league at the time the DDCA teams were being picked.

However, a recipient of the email defended the appointments, insisting that due process had been followed.

“All the rules have been followed diligently. Everyone who has been appointed has played cricket at the highest level. They have been in the system for a long time. Manu Nayyar is yet to complete his five-year term, whereas Varun has recently retired from playing cricket and knows a thing or two about how modern-day cricket functions. We are all thinking about the betterment of Delhi cricket, and these accusations are needless,” said a recipient of the email.

TimesofIndia.com reached out to DDCA secretary Ashok Sharma for a response but received none.

Dahiya reappointed as Ranji head coach

The appointments come as the DDCA named coaches, mentors and High Performance Centre staff across multiple levels, with former India wicketkeeper Vijay Dahiya reappointed as head coach of the Delhi Ranji Trophy team.

In all, 22 coaches — including head coaches, assistant coaches, bowling coaches and fielding coaches — have been appointed across the senior men's team down to the U-14 level, while 18 coaches have been appointed across various women's teams. Several former players and their sons have also found assignments in the appointments.

Selection panel composition also under scanner

Beyond individual appointments, Grover also questioned the proposed composition of the selection panel, pointing out that it appears to substantially comprise the same selectors who were involved in the process last year. His concern comes against the backdrop of what he described as disappointing performances by Delhi cricket.

While acknowledging that continuity could have its merits, Grover urged the CAC to exercise “greater care and circumspection” in selecting coaches and selectors, and said recent performances, along with eligibility, experience and the overall requirements of Delhi cricket, should be taken into account.

“I therefore request the CAC to independently examine all relevant records and applicable criteria before taking any final decision,” Grover wrote, while also requesting that his communication be treated as part of the official record of the selection and appointment process.