‘Seniors have a role to play,a legacy to set’

Delhi gave me my first break and I am thrilled to come back. I would like to talk to the players about what our goals are. Some of players who are nucleus to the side need to understand demands of the game,how to contribute and take youngsters along. My own expectations is also high from the players. Delhi players need to be regulars in India A and zone side but to do that,you have to play consistently for state. That will be our goal from Day One… to do well for Delhi.

The last time you won Ranji trophy,Sehwag and Gambhir were hungry for a India comeback. Now,the big players have all established themselves while others have no chance of moving up the India ladder,so how will you stoke the hunger in them?

The biggest mistake we do is that if a player has no chance to play for India,we feel he’s got no role to play. Let’s live in the moment,they still have a big role to play for their state. Okay,the seniors may or may not have a chance for India,but they have their reputation. They have to decide what legacy they leave behind. The newcomers need to understand that a good season can take them to better places.

Right now all Delhi players are insecure about their place in the side.

It’s my job to give the players that confidence that when they walk out into the park,it will not be their last game. I need to strike some sort of rapport with the selectors and need to be on the same page. People like Manhas or Bhatia shouldn’t feel that there is someone standing next to them to chop their heads off. My expectation from them are very high.. both on and off the field. I have very different role for them this season. Also I have a lot of time for Shikhar,he’s one guy I really look up to,perfect team man and one who will be crucial to our chances. At the same time people like Mayank Tehlan or Yogesh Nagar have been in and out for so many years,its difficult to put them as seniors or juniors. So there’s something wrong in the system. I need to iron out those flaws and give a good atmosphere.

How will you juggle the Ashish Nehra option? He is very reluctant to play the full season.

We need to understand from his point of view. If his body would withstand the rigours,he would be be playing Test cricket for India. Even if he plays four games out of 8,our job is done. In fact,I don’t see any fast bowlers playing all 8 games this year for Delhi. And here,we are forgetting Ishant Sharma,he too will be available for us.

You are hinting at a so-called rotation policy?

I am saying rotation of bowlers as per demands of the situation. It’s unfair on the bowler to be putting in hard effort for 8 straight games. It will be difficult because when one player does well ,he won’t want to take rest but that’s where we need to take a call.

Rajasthan won back to back titles by scoring big runs and putting pressure on opposition. Delhi’s average scores in last seasons have been around 270.

We will play aggressive cricket. I am not the sort of guy who would want to score 600 and get first innings point. Credit to Rajasthan for doing that,and successfully for two seasons,they have set the standard but their players are different than ours. Our style of cricket will be different. One of my goals is to make Delhi the best fielding side in the country.