Coach who slapped assistant back in UT Ranji Trophy squad

A one-match ban, a penalty and an apology is what all it took for Chandigarh’s Ranji Trophy coach to join back the side after slapping the team’s assistant coach during an official tour to Indore on November 3.

The Tribune was the first to report the incident on November 5. The coach, who was sent on a week’s leave after the incident was reported in these columns, today joined the squad for their next tie against Karnataka to be played from November 16 to 19 at KSCA Stadium, Hubli.

After the incident, the team’s assistant coach Sandeep Arora had submitted a complaint against coach Rajeev Nayyar, who slapping him in front of the team at dinner table. In April, Nayyar was condemned for by the local sports fraternity for flaunting political contacts on a WhatsApp group comprising members of the Union Territory Cricket Association, Chandigarh.

“The unfortunate slapping incident that happened between the head coach and the assistant coach was brought to the notice on November 4. A two-member committee comprising Devinder Sharma and Daniel Banerjee was formed to investigate the matter. The committee interacted with the support staff and submitted its final report,” said Hari Singh Khurana, secretary, UTCA.

He said, “Four recommendations were made. First, an unconditional apology by the coach to the assistant coach. Second, a one-match ban. Third, a financial penalty to be deducted from his contract fee. Fourth, a stern warning to the coach that any such action in future will be viewed seriously and his services will be terminated without any notice.”

While sources claimed the penalty amounts to Rs 1 lakh, the UTCA official said it was a “confidential” matter.

Khurana confirmed: “The coach submitted a written apology, which was accepted by the assistant coach. Thereafter, I had a meeting with all support staff and advised them to work as a team for the betterment of the cricket. The support staff assured that they will work in bonhomie in future for the betterment of cricket.”