Dahiya set to be Delhi Ranji teams mentor

Reluctant to dispense with coach Sanjeev Sharma,who led Delhi to the semifinals of the domestic one-day and T20 championships

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Reluctant to dispense with coach Sanjeev Sharma,who led Delhi to the semifinals of the domestic one-day and T20 championships,and under pressure to utilise Kolkata Knight Riders assistant coach Vijay Dahiyas services,the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) Sports Committee is seeking to accommodate both. The DDCA has proposed to name the former India stumper as mentor to the Delhi state team,while retaining Sharma as the coach.

Its still unclear what Dahiyas duties will be,but the new post is the latest addition to the ever-expanding support staff that includes the coach,his assistant,a cricket manager,a manager,a logistics manager and a net coordinator,besides a trainer,a physio and a video analyst.

Post KKRs win in the IPL,Dahiya was tipped for a second stint as Delhis coach having helped the team to the Ranji title in 2007-08 before taking a break but many in the DDCA felt it was improper to relieve Sanjeev of his duties after he took over as coach under difficult circumstances Manoj Prabhakar was sacked on the eve of the season-opener.

I havent been informed of my appointment yet and Ive never been a mentor to a side before. But as a member of support staff,I will always work towards one goal along with the players. These are crucial times for Delhi cricket,a couple of seniors are nearing the end of their careers and have another 1-2 years left in them. Somebody has to play a role in creating a bench strength, said Dahiya.

The list of proposals for the 2012-13 season,submitted by the Sports Committee on Friday,will have to be ratified by the DDCA executive committee. The list also has Maninder Singh Jaggi,retained as assistant coach. There are three changes in the selection panel: Former Indian off-spinner Nikhil Chopra returns to the senior selection committee while former Delhi batsmen Sidharth Verma and Gautam Vadhera have been included; Chetan Chauhan continues to be the chairman of selectors while Vinay Lambha has also been retained.