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Journalism of Courage
NEW DELHI, October 7: Vijay Dahiya realises the responsiblity of leading a team that is in the process of building up for the future. He will be leading a depleted Delhi team in this year’s Ranji Trophy Championships. In the last couple of years, the state had lost the services of some of its regulars on various counts. Yet, it reached the final in 1996-97 on the strength of consistent performances from Ajay Sharma and Raman Lamba. Last year, the team was banned from further participaton’ as a result of the pitch fiasco’ in the match against Tamil Nadu at Chennai at the Super League stage.
The team this year will be without the services of Raman Lamba (who died when hit on the head while playing a match at Dhaka last February), who had been one of the most consistent run-getters in the past. “We will definitely miss him. But the game must go on,” Dahiya said philosophically.
“We are in the process of building up a team for the future. A few years ago, ours was one of the strongest teams in the country. Suddenly, several star’ players quit the scene and we struggled even against mediocre teams. It (slide) happens with every team. But there is lot of talent here as can be seen from the turnout for the trials. We will take time to get back to past glory,” he said.
“We have been talking of settling down for a long time. This is the right time to settle down. Most of the players in the present team have been with the team for almost three years now. They have more or less settled down. Ashu Dani, Robin Singh, Rajneesh Chopra, Amit Bhandari have been with the team long enough. Mithun Manhas and Aakash Chopra made a good debut last year. They are all performers. We wouldn’t have reached the final (two years ago) otherwise,” he said.
Dahiya feels comfortable that most of his colleagues are of the same age group. “That makes things easy for me, as a skipper. Earlier, with lot of seniors in the team, youngsters felt uneasy expressing their opinion in team meetings. It will be different now. People can feel free to say whatever they feel. It will definitely be a family atmosphere in the dressing room,” he assured.
Having three of the colleagues (Sanghvi, Robin and Nikhil) playing for various India teams would certainly act as an inspiration for others in the Delhi team, Dahiya felt. “If people who are regularly playing with us can represent the country, why not us, is the feeling among most of the team members. It is a good sign. I am sure there is bound to be a better performance from the boys,” he said with confidence.
The responsbility of leading Delhi did not come as a total surprise to him although he dd not expect it to come so soon. “In fact, I was sounded last season about being named the vice-captain. As long as Ajay Sharma is there in the team, I knew he’ll be leading the side. I have been leading Indian Airlines which has Srinath, Doda Ganesh and Dravid in its ranks. Since I have played with almost all my colleagues, it won’t be a different thing here,” he said.
Dahiya doesnot see any problem leading the side which has veteran Ajay Sharma as an ordinary player. “In fact, we should take full advantage of Ajay’s experience, especially against stronger teams. He is always willing to help me when the need arises. Ajay’s dedication and commitment to the game should be a lesson to today’s youngsters,” Dahiya said.
About his priorities, Dahiya said: “Winning the trophy will be given the utmost priority. But we will take each match on its merit. I am sure we’ll live up to expectations”.
