Bhandari walks into the sunset

“I could still have waited for one more year or two but that makes no point when I don’t see myself bowling for Delhi anymore. I don’t want to block a junior’s place,” Bhandari added.

During his tenure,Bhandari had enjoyed several memorable moments,and winning the Ranji Trophy tops them all.

“I remember when we won the Ranji Trophy,Gautam (Gambhir) said the first right to hold the trophy goes to the person who has served Delhi for so long,and he pushed me ahead to lift the trophy. It was the best moment of my life.

“Also,I remember telling one of my friend that everybody is questioning my captaincy and I am under severe pressure to perform and my team needs a victory. I told him,‘come what may I will get a fiver tomorrow’ and I went on to do that and took my team to victory. There are so many moments,some good,some bad…”

Bhandari made his first-class debut in 1997 and played his last first-class match against Punjab in 2008. His career could have stretched a bit longer,had he not gone down with dengue after being signed up by Goa last season a professional player.

In hindsight,though,Bhandari thinks it all happened for good. “I had played all my career for Delhi,I thought I could play for Goa and stretch my career. But now,it turns out that I all my cricket career has been for my home state,” the Delhi veteran said,adding he did not regret never moving out to explore greener pastures.

His family will take much of his time from now,but retirement doesn’t mean Bhandari will not be seen on the cricket field.

New priorities

He has now set sights on becoming a full-time coach and feels the decision has come at an appropriate time. “I feel I can be a good bowling coach and I will be heading to NCA to qualify as a certified one. Right now,I am focusing on Delhi. Maybe I would start handling the upcoming junior talent. But I am ready to coach the senior team if DDCA thinks it to be appropriate. It is the experience which counts and I feel I have played the right amount of cricket to have a perspective,” Bhandari said.

Amajority of his 314 wickets in 95 first-class games came on placid wickets. One thing that still hurts him,however,is the number of times he donned India colours. He was part of the Indian team in 34 matches but sat out in 32. Bhandari is still searching for an answer as to why he played just two matches.

“I don’t know myself. My international career is a major low in my life. I lost my mother around that time. We didn’t have bowling coaches,unlike these days. I feel I could have done a lot better and played a lot more. I have tried to get the answer with success. Maybe,now they that I have retired,I might get the answers,” he said.