Former Ranji player backs out of revolt group

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 24

The group of former first class players who threatened to revolt against the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) on October 21 has already begun to scatter. 

Sanjay Dhull, a former player, said he had ‘mistakenly’ gone to the meeting after being invited by senior players, whom he did not wish to name, and he had nothing to do with the revolt against the PCA. Dhull said that the group invited all the former cricketers to attend a meeting for discussing the possibility of forming a players’ association for their welfare.

But when he reached the venue, a few members of the group were already briefing the media regarding their revolt, and no meeting regarding the players’ association was held. “I attended the meeting after receiving many calls from my seniors. I was unaware about any kind of media briefing regarding any revolt against PCA,” said he. “I have nothing to do with PCA, but on moral grounds, I do not want my name to be attached with any kind of group or controversy.” On taking three days to come out with this clarification, he  said that he was waiting for the right time to convey his message. “I thought that the media must be busy in covering the India-New Zealand ODI,” said Dhull.

“I had never met Rakesh Handa, who headed the group, and never interacted with him regarding any kind of controversy or administrative work. It was because of my seniors I went to the venue. I doubt if they can run cricket cleanly after listening to them that day.” Dhull represented Punjab in one Ranji match and played six matches for Services. He had also played for Punjab’s U-19 team.