Sehwag wants to quit Delhi; just a pressure tactic says DDCA

Indian opener Virender Sehwag has threatened to quit the Delhi Ranji team, alleging interference in selection matters by the DDCA Sports Committee members.

Sehwag, who is currently in Bangalore undergoing rehabilitation for his injured shoulder, has been told to put his decision on hold till he meets the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) president Arun Jaitley. The meeting is likely to take place on August 27 or 28 to discuss the matter.

The explosive right-hander has threatened to leave the team for Haryana, saying that he is frustrated with the interference in selection matters.

The DDCA's sports secretary Sunil Dev said he has not received any communication from Sehwag nor has he approached him for a No Objection Certificate to play for some other state.

But a top DDCA source said Sehwag's threat to quit was just a "pressure tactic" to bring in a couple of his players in the Ranji squad.

"He wants to bring Mayank Tehlan and Pradeep Sangwan into the team. But since the Delhi team is well set, it is not possible. That is the reason why he is making such threats," the source said.

Sehwag has claimed that some selectors group together to force a player of their choice into the side, leaving the captain and selection committee chairman powerless.

He has also alleged manipulation in the selection of Delhi under-16 and under-19 teams.
The Delhi team, which won the 2007-08 Ranji title, failed to even make the knock-out stage last season. Sehwag did not play a single match last season because of his engagements with the national team.