‘Baseless allegations’: Rohan Jaitley dismisses Kirti Azad’s claims ahead of DDCA election

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) Ahead of the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) election, incumbent president Rohan Jaitley has called his opponent and former cricketer Kirti Azad’s claims as ‘baseless’ and has no ‘substantial documentation’ to back them. Former World Cup-winning player Azad levelled serious allegations against Jaitley including mismanagement of funds received from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

“I am not aware of the content of the allegations that have been made by my opponent (Kirti Azad), but if allegations are being raised only in the momentum and the heat of the election, it is not something that came up for the last three years. I am fairly surprised that why would someone make baseless allegations without any substantial documentation to back them? This only reminds me of the instance where the same opponent years ago, against my father (Arun Jaitley), made baseless allegations, led garden paths of the other political leaders of the country and they, in turn, made allegations,” Rohan Jaitley told IANS on Thursday.

“And where did those legal cases eventually hit too, rather than them being baseless? So, it is a similar story, it is just the same old wine being rewatered by him and being served again to the innocent members of the association for his own vendetta-based ambitions,” he added.

When asked about the debate challenge from Azad, Jaitley termed it as a ‘gimmick’ and said he is ready for healthy conversation.

“I think it was a mere jumla and a gimmick. Please understand. You want to debate with me? Have the courtesy of reaching out directly. You sent out an invite to the journalistic society and the fraternity and you didn’t have the courtesy of even reaching out, not even a mere WhatsApp or a message or a call. Otherwise, it’s like, ‘Oh, he’s younger than me, he’s like a son to me, there’s nothing’.

“I respect the man for what he’s done. He’s a leading political leader. He’s a World Cup-winning player. But at the end of the day, we need to remember that what is being done is politics over here, which is not healthy enough for an ecosystem to sustain. It’s important that we have a healthy conversation and I’m always open to a healthy conversation,” said Rohan.

He expressed confidence in his campaign and vowed to get re-elected as DDCA president for the second term.

“We are totally confident about the election, we are prepared, we have done our outreach, we have reached out to our members, given them our report card on the work that we have done for the last three years. We have given them our vision and perspective on what we intend to do in the next three years. So, we are hopeful that the voters will support us and give us an opportunity to serve them again,” he said.

“We are doing our best to make sure that everyone from the panel of 12 succeeds and comes across and the board does a smooth functioning for the next three years,” Rohan added.

The 35-year-old laid out his plans for his next tenure and emphasised building a new international cricket stadium in the national capital which would be double the size of existing Arun Jaitley Stadium, upgrading club facilities and other infrastructure developments.

“We are planning a new international stadium which should be at least twice the capacity of the existing one. We are planning on making these new high-performance centres which would also give an ambit to the grassroots cricketers to come into a synchronised facility of being catered to. We are also looking to expand our facilities at the club for members as well as non-members to ensure that the best is available for them,” he concluded.

The DDCA election will be held from December 13 to 15 with the declaration of result scheduled for December 16.

–IANS

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Kohli, Smith, Root will decide their retirement, not when others tell them: Greg Chappell

New Delhi, Dec 21 (IANS) Former Australia cricketer Greg Chappell believes that for the modern greats of cricket like Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Joe Root, the end will come, but not when others tell them, but when they know.

Chappell also reflected on the inevitable decline of elite batsmen and how it manifests in the careers of modern greats like Kohli, Smith, and Root. Chappell examines the phenomenon he calls “Elite Performance Decline Syndrome” (EPDS), offering a rare glimpse into the mental and physical battles faced by cricketers in the twilight of their careers.

Chappell begins by observing how decline, while gradual, is unmistakable. Even the best players—those who once dominated with flair and certainty—start to show signs of hesitation. “For players like Kohli, Smith, and Root, the decline isn’t dramatic,” Chappell wrote in an opinion piece for The Sydney Morning Herald. “It’s subtle—a shift in approach, a caution that replaces the instinctive dominance of their prime.”

“For Kohli, Smith, and Root, the end will come—not when others tell them, but when they know,” Chappell writes. “The battle against time is not about winning; it’s about finishing with dignity, on their own terms.”

Kohli, who once intimidated bowlers with his commanding starts, has begun to exhibit a cautious approach. “He now builds his innings differently, often needing 20 or 30 runs to regain the fluency that once came naturally,” Chappell notes.

This hesitancy, Chappell argueed, is emblematic of EPDS. Kohli’s instinctive aggression, tempered by the weight of expectations and the fear of failure, has made him more risk-averse. “Confidence is everything for an elite athlete,” Chappell writes. “When doubt creeps in, it disrupts the clarity required to dominate. Kohli’s internal battle is clear—his desire to attack versus his cautious approach to survival.”

Steve Smith, known for his unorthodox brilliance and extraordinary ability to grind out runs, is battling a different facet of EPDS. “Smith’s decline has been more mental than physical,” Chappell suggests.

The intense focus and meticulous preparation that defined Smith’s batting are harder to sustain as time goes on. “Fatigue—both mental and physical—is a silent enemy,” Chappell writes. “For Smith, maintaining that razor-sharp focus over long innings has become increasingly challenging. The weight of expectations, from fans and teammates alike, only adds to the emotional toll.”

For Joe Root, the battle is as much about mindset as it is about form. Root’s graceful stroke play and ability to adapt to any situation have remained hallmarks of his game. However, Chappell notes a subtle shift in his intent. “Root’s ability to dominate spinners and pace alike is still there, but his willingness to take risks has diminished,” Chappell observes.

Root’s challenge lies in rekindling the joy of batting, something that often fades under the weight of responsibility. “The hardest thing isn’t the bowler at the other end,” Chappell writes. “It’s the silence in your own head when you know you’re not the player you once were.”

Chappell delved into the scientific underpinnings of EPDS, explaining how ageing impacts both the mind and body. “These changes are inevitable,” Chappell writes. “The challenge is how players like Kohli, Smith, and Root adapt to them.”

For players from cricket-mad nations like India, Australia, and England, the pressures of decline are magnified by public scrutiny. Chappell highlighted how every slump in form is dissected by fans and pundits, adding to the mental burden.

“These players are not just fighting their own battles,” Chappell writes. “They’re carrying the weight of millions of fans who demand perfection.” He recalls Sunil Gavaskar’s words: “The hardest part of batting is knowing you aren’t what you were.”

Despite the challenges, Chappell believed that great players find ways to adapt. He points to Kohli’s recent performances, where after cautious starts, he rediscovered his rhythm and delivered match-winning innings. Similarly, Smith’s ability to grind through tough conditions and Root’s adaptability to different formats are testaments to their resilience.

“Reaching 20 or 30 runs acts as a psychological turning point,” Chappell writes. “It’s a moment where the rhythm of their younger selves resurfaces, reminding them—and us—why they’re among the greatest of all time.”

Chappell concluded by reflecting on his own career and the emotional struggle of letting go. In his final Test at the SCG, he summoned the mental focus of his younger self to score a century, a fitting end to his journey.

Chappell also urged fans to celebrate these players not just for their peak performances but for their resilience in the face of decline.

“Greatness isn’t just about what they achieve in their prime. It’s about how they adapt, endure, and finish. Kohli, Smith, and Root are writing the final chapters of their stories, and we should honour their courage as much as their brilliance.”

–IANS

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Sr National Badminton: Rithvik Sanjeevi stuns defending champion Chirag Sen in third round (Ld)

Bengaluru, Dec 21 (IANS) Rithvik Sanjeevi S. fought back from a game down to pack off defending champion and sixth seed Chirag Sen in the third round of the 86th Senior Nationals Badminton tournament here on Saturday. The Tamil Nadu shuttler looked in trouble after losing the opening game against Sen but bounced back to win 12-21, 21-19, 21-15 and will now take on Raghu M on Sunday for a place in the quarterfinals.

There were no such surprises in the women’s singles section as defending champion Anmol Kharb and last edition runners-up Tanvi Sharma stormed into the Round of 16. Anmol defeated Krishika Mahajan 21-14, 21-14 while Tanvi packed off Swati Solanki 21-12, 21-8 in the third round.

While most of the title contenders stayed on course in the women’s singles category, the men’s singles event saw fourth seed Bhargav S, fifth seed Saneeth DS, and ninth seed Ravi biting the dust. M. Singh upset Bhargav 21-11, 21-13 while Manish Phogat got the better of Ravi 14-21, 21-14, 21-18. In the last match of the day, Rounak Chauhan ended Saneeth’s campaign with a 21-11, 21-16 victory.

In the doubles categories, it was the win of experience over youth in women’s doubles with Kanika Kanwal and Bharti Pal teaming together to upset sixth seeds Amrutha P and Radhika Sharma 25-23, 21-17.

Earlier in the day, Rujula Ramu stunned 10th seed Surya Charishma Tamiri 21-19, 19-21, 21-17 while Jiya Rawat came from a game behind to beat 9th seed Shruti Mundada 25-27, 21-14, 21-10 in the second round.

Earlier in the second round, former champions Mithun Manjunath and Sourabh Varma banked on their experience to pack off their much younger opponents in straight games and reached the third round. Mithun defeated third seed Bharat Raghav 21-9, 21-18 and Varma got the better of Abhinav Garg 21-17, 21-17. Defending champion Chirag Sen also started his campaign in style with a 21-15, 21-15 win over Jeet Patel.

In the men’s singles section, Rohan Gurbani proved too good for 11th seed K. Lokesh Reddy, winning 21-15, 21-1 while Raghu M. defeated 15th seeded Karthik Jindal 21-19, 21-16.

It was the win of experience over youth in women’s doubles with Kanika Kanwal and Bharti Pal teaming up to upset sixth seeds Amrutha P. and Radhika Sharma 25-23, 21-17 in the top national event for the season.

–IANS

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