‘I’m having fun on the sidelines’

What is it that you think the current crop of pacers lack?
They need to be interested in making it to the national side. It must have be missing if for the last three seasons,no Delhi bowler has managed to get a bagful of dismissals. Pradeep Sangwan did make the cut in his debut season,but he too has nothing much to show for since. Look at the Karnataka pace duo — Vinay Kumar and Abhimanyu Mithun. After they both claimed 40-plus wickets in the 2009-10 season,one has played for India and the other is in the World T20 squad. So,overall,I feel that they haven’t filled my shoes yet.

Do you see yourself in a bowling consultant/coaching role for Delhi in the future?
If the DDCA approaches me then I am more than willing to do my share for the team. But as of now,I am looking forward to playing a few more years of cricket.

In the 2009-10 Ranji season,most senior players from Delhi were missing on national duty. Despite that,you weren’t considered for the state side.
I may have lost some speed from my youth but I still have an abundance of experience to make up for it. If the selectors aren’t interested in experience then I cannot help it. It becomes an ego issue with the selectors sometimes. They (the selectors) have gone in with a young crop and I am happy for the future of the side.

Is it true that you have been coaching youngsters part-time?
The academy is run by my former school — SS Khalsa — in Lajpat Nagar. It is just a part-time thing and I go there whenever I am free. It is nice to teach youngsters in the age group of eight to 16 years the basics of cricket. My role is to help them understand the game and how to use the equipment the right way. They are the future of Delhi cricket and it will only help to give them direction at a young age. Once in a while,players such as Virender Sehwag and Mithun Manhas,too,lend a helping hand.

Ishant Sharma has been playing under your captaincy for ONGC. What advice did you offer him?
To concentrate on his basics. The lesser Ishant is coached,the better it will be for him. The team have a lot of youngsters such as Virat Kohli and Tanmay Srivastava,so playing alongside them has helped in rebuilding Ishant. I explained to him that it is not about the release of the delivery or a change in action,it is only about going back to the basics of fast bowling.

What does the future hold for Amit Bhandari?
I have provided 13 years of service for Delhi and have also had the opportunity of donning the national colours. I am extremely grateful for that. Once I announce my retirement,I will offer my services to the DDCA and see how it goes from there on. If they are interested then it is great,if not,that is great as well. I am not the type to regret anything in life.

Is retirement from first-class cricket on the cards?
Why should I retire from first-class cricket? The retirement age in India is 60 and until then nobody can ask me to retire. A stint in the Indian Premier League is something that I am really looking forward to. I hope I can get a contract. I am enjoying playing for my club and hope to be around in the circuit for a few more years.