Players are pampered, shame on them if they lack motivation, says Atul Wassan
Chairman of the Delhi selection committee Atul Wassan has opined that there is no excuse for Delhi players to lack motivation with the kind of facilities and luxuries being provided to them. He further lamented the fact that the Delhi side often lost their star players to international cricket.
In the 2017/18 season, the Delhi team reached the final of the Ranji Trophy and one of the key members behind the success was former Indian pacer Atul Wassan, who was then the Chairman of the selection committee. However, shockingly, a major revamp was done by DDCA post the conclusion of that season - which saw Wassan alongside others being unceremoniously removed - and as a result, the team finished bottom of their pool in the 2018/19 season. Now, the DDCA have gone back to what worked best for them and brought back the services of Wassan, who will once again the head selection.
The 51-year-old will have his task cut out this time around and talking about the Delhi team, he admitted that consistency within the team was non-existent. However, he mapped the inconsistency to the fact that most of Delhi's elite players often leave the state at crucial junctures to represent the national team, meaning they are left with only the other inexperienced cricketers. He cited the example of Vidarbha who, in contrast to Delhi, more often than not, always have had their best players playing for them throughout the season, thus reaping rewards for it.
"I know we have under-achieved in the last 10 years. We’ll win a one-off tournament here and there, but the consistency which used to be there earlier, isn’t there anymore. Earlier, what would happen is that one-odd player would play for India but the rest would be available," Wassan told Hindustan Times.
"There were no A tours, or they were rare. Now, there is so much cricket you often don’t get the cream. Many teams don’t have stars but have many good first-class players. Like Vidarbha (the 2017-18 and 2018-19 Ranji champions), there are some good players, but they are not India contenders. So they keep getting the entire team. With Mumbai and Delhi there is always a problem, 5-6 players keep going here and there every season," he added.
Wassan, who represented India in four Tests and nine ODIs between 1990 and 1991, also insisted on the need for the players to cement their spot with consistent performances due to the overflowing talent in the youth levels. He emphasized on the fact that there should be no room for complacency in any player who plays for the team.
"You can’t like hang around for 4-5 years, making 400-500 runs, and the team also doesn’t win, and then expect that with mediocre performances, you cement your place. We were told the same thing when we played for Delhi.
"You need to perform in 8-10 matches and cement a place, else give others a chance. We have a good bank in U-19 and they have to push. Unless they do, and ensure the guys in front aren’t complacent, how will we move ahead?, he said.
The former Indian pacer also opined that in this day and age, there was no reason for players to be not motivated, especially with the kind of pampering they've been exposed to. He feels that the players would need to have a good, hard look at themselves in the mirror should they struggle to find motivation despite being exposed to such a luxurious lifestyle.
"Why would there be? You’re playing for Delhi. If you do well, you’ll get selected for the India team. You are getting plenty of money. You are getting a comfortable lifestyle, the physio is there, trainer is there, you are staying in a five-star hotel.
There are so many India A team tours happening. Emerging nations tournaments are taking place. These players are totally pampered. If, in spite of this, you still need motivation, shame on you," he signed off.