If we win Ranji, it will be a massive slap in the face of many in DDCA: Gautam Gambhir

[CG]

At the start of the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy season, Gautam Gambhir had an unenviable task at hand. He was leading a Delhi team whose core players had moved on or were dropped. Then, factionalism in the DDCA meant there was hardly any preparation before the season. Even at the best of times in recent years Delhi had failed to perform to their potential, so, under the circumstances, it was natural to be queasy about the chances of a team that was young and inexperienced. Gambhir himself was, after the first innings of the season opener in Jaipur last month. But then, under his stewardship, they quickly turned things around. In their most recent match, they vanquished Maharashtra in just two days. On what would have been the third day at the Kotla, The Indian Express caught up with a relaxed-looking Delhi captain at his home in Karol Bagh as he used the unexpected break to spend time with his family. Excerpts from an interview.

Delhi have 24 points from six matches and there is daylight between them and other teams in Group A. How do you feel: surprised, satisfied or vindicated?

It doesn’t surprise me. It doesn’t satisfy me. When we started this season, the preparation was far from ideal. Young kids in the team would look around and find that no one stood for us. No support from the association, from anyone, on any front. But that was an extra motivation for all of us to go there and win the Ranji Trophy. So yeah, we are topping the table, but the bigger goal is to win the Ranji Trophy. That will be a massive, massive slap in the face for a lot of people who haven’t done anything for cricket and yet have been on top posts in the DDCA.

But there is still a long way to go. I think it’s just a good start. We can’t be complacent. We may be at top of the table, but come November 15 (when Delhi play against Assam), 9’o clock, it will be even-stevens. Whether we have qualified, or whether we play a team which is at the bottom of the table, it doesn’t matter. All that matters is you’ve still got to go and play a good game of cricket and win it. That’s what excites me.

 

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In the very first match of the season, when the team got all out for 138 against Rajasthan in the first innings, was there any sort of apprehension that this season wasn’t going anywhere? What were you thinking when the wickets were falling all around you at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium?

There was a little bit of that feeling. Obviously, because it’s the start of the season and it’s a young team. You want to start the season on a good note. But then I always felt that this group of talented youngsters, who have been around for a few years, haven’t been given the opportunities they deserved. And I knew that over time, over the course of the season, they will do well. And they did. So yes, after that first innings there were doubts, but after the second, I was pretty confident.

How do you inspire the team? What did you tell them at the beginning of the season, with the side facing so many problems?

I have given a number of pep-talks. I spoke with them before the start of the season. You know how it happens in Delhi cricket. Lots of chopping and changing. So it’s natural for a youngster to feel insecure. I always believe this young side has a lot of good players — that is why they have been picked to play for Delhi — and they will deliver if we give them enough opportunities. These young players were not given enough chances in the last two years. They are given one game and then, suddenly, are dropped and then reinstated for one more game. You can’t get the best out of anyone that way.

So, I told them that whatever happens in the season, we were going to give them enough opportunities so that they can come out and play freely. We did that. And the players also kept their part of the bargain. They came and delivered. So far.

http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/if-we-win-ranji-it-will-be-a-massive-slap-in-the-face-of-many-in-ddca-gautam-gambhir/

[New guy]

I think Gambhir has a slap fetish

[Pagalpanti]

The guy is a moron.

 

He's a dedicated player, who gives it his all but his attitude is worst. Idk when he went into this zone, where it became all about him. He behaves like the entire world is against him. 

[rkt.india]

The guy is a moron.

 

He's a dedicated player, who gives it his all but his attitude is worst. Idk when he went into this zone, where it became all about him. He behaves like the entire world is against him. 

No, he is right. Situation was really bad at DDCA at the start of the season due to infighting among the association members and to an extent that court had to appoint its representative to foresee the preparation in Ajay Jadeja, though still these kind of talks are uncalled for from players.

[jusarrived]

He could be right , but generally has victimized mentality . Needs to keep a check on his mouth which runs loose sometimes . 

[Cricketics]

The guy is a moron.

 

He's a dedicated player, who gives it his all but his attitude is worst. Idk when he went into this zone, where it became all about him. He behaves like the entire world is against him. 

No he is not.

You can't have a player so easily leave the team like Sehwag did. Everywhere we hear some bullshyt about DDCA. There have been so many articles posted about DDCA and its functioniong body being run by clueless people. Even Raja Bhatia, who has been part of Delhi team for a long time and has played consistently for Delhi even when Gambhir and Sehwag were away for Indian team, has come out criticizing DDCA about how things are handled.

People are just tired now. They were supposed to host twenty20 at Kotla against South Africa, the first tour game which was eventualy moved to the Palam ground because the ground wasn't ready. Imagine this now.