Yesterday, just before the Delhi selectors met to finalise the team for the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament, they received a message: "Drop Gautam Gambhir over indisciplinary issue".
However, despite the message and feedback from the team management, which didn't paint a very rosy picture of the India Test and One-Day discard, especially over his on-and-off-field behaviour, including with other players during the just-concluded Ranji season, Gambhir was cleared by the trio of Atul Wassan, Hari Gidwani and Robin Singh. Sources said the selectors were unanimous that Gambhir couldn't be dropped "on cricketing grounds".
As for his disciplinary issues, the selectors felt the Cricket Advisory Committee could "take any action it deemed fit".
Like last season, when Gambhir had an open confrontation with chief coach KP Bhaskar, this year, too, was accused of cauding indiscipline in the team, apart from creating problems for new skipper Rishabh Pant, where Delhi finished runners-up.
DNA has learnt from DDCA insiders that almost the entire team management -chief coach Bhaskar, bowling coach Manoj Prabhakar, manager Shankar Saini and the other support staff - deposed before the CAC two days back and apprised it of Gambhir's negative attitude. The proceedings were also audio-taped and will be placed before DDCA administrator and former Supreme Court Judge Vikramjit Sen.
"All of them (coaches and support staff) narrated stories about his unprofessional behaviour. It was also brought to its notice how Gambhir got the team manager to book return ticket on the final day of the game in Hyderabad, to him missing the entire last session of the match," sources said.
That left CAC chairman and former all-rounder Madan Lal furious. After similar charges last season, Gambhir was recommended to be given a four-match ban.
However, Justice Sen intervened and Gambhir was let off with the caveat that "he would not misbehave in future". Reached for his comments, Gambhir refused to say anything.
LET OFF WITH A WARNING
- After similar charges last season, Gambhir was recommended to be given a four-match ban
- However, Justice Sen intervened and Gambhir was let off with the caveat that “he would not misbehave in future”
