Case of ‘missing’ Prabhakar

Though he took over as Delhi’s bowling coach last season, DDCA did not give him any formal appointment order then. Prabhakar was available last year but he hasn’t joined the team since the Mohammad Nissar Trophy in September.

Though the DDCA insists Prabhakar has been ‘retained’ as the bowling coach this season and that he has been duly informed about it, officials are clueless about his absence at the training sessions. Prabhakar himself spelt out his terms clearly.

“Yes, I had very clearly told them (DDCA officials) that I would need a proper appointment letter with the terms and conditions. But I haven”t heard from them so far. If they send me the letter tonight, I am ready to be there at the ground tomorrow morning,” he said.

Other reasons

But insiders say that Prabhakar, unhappy after being sidelined last season, has fallen out with main coach Vijay Dahiya —the main reason for his insisting on a contract letter. But DDCA have refused to toe Prabhakar’s line so far. “Prabhakar hasn’t come up to me to discuss his problems. I have no idea why he hasn”t joined the team yet, though I requested him to join as the bowling coach on the same terms and conditions as last year,” sports secretary Sunil Dev told Sportline.

“We still hope that the matter would be resolved and he would join the team as soon as possible,” Dev added.

DDCA vice-president and chairman of selectors Chetan Chauhan, however, admitted that Prabhakar had spoken to him about a written contract of service before re-starting work with the team.

“I had informed the president that Prabhakar wanted a letter if we wanted him to join the team. But I don’t know what happened after that. It’s unfortunate if he’s not able to join the team.”