Bedi attacks proxy8217; system

NEW DELHI, November 22: Bishan Singh Bedi has once again raised the banner of revolt against the proxy system8217; prevailing in the Delhi and District Cricket Association DDCA. In a scathing attack on the present set of DDCA administrators, the former India skipper called upon all cricketers to take 8220;a silent pledge to work together to destroy the proxy system.8221;

Bedi, who is a candidate for the post of president of the DDCA elections to which are being held on Monday, told newsmen here last night that 8220;it was a battle between proxy and performance.8221; Acknowledging that he was 8220;fighting a losing battle8221; as he had 8220;no proxies except my own,8221; the legendary left-arm spinner accused the present administrators of destroying the game for their own personal interests. 8220;I have more first-class wickets than the number of proxies I can ever collect,8221; he said sarcastically.

8220;They are indulging in muscle power. People in the DDCA are showing guns and getting their boys selected in various teams, including Under-16, 19 and even Ranji Trophy,8221; he lamented.

Recalling his earlier battle8217; against the Ram Prakash Mehra regime during the late 8217;70s and early 8217;80s, Bedi said: 8220;By their ill-deeds, the present administrators have proved that R P Mehra was an angel.8221; 8220;We are much mellowed and humble now than when we his supporters took over the administration for the first time in the early 8217;80s,8221; he stressed.

8220;If Mumbai cricket is flourishing, it is because there is a complete cricket atmosphere at the CCI, unlike here at the Kotla where no official talks about the game or the players,8221; he added, stressing that cricketers must be given an equal share of responsibility to run the association.