Veteran coach Gurcharan Singh,in a freewheeling chat with The Indian Express,throws light on the importance of a well-experienced selection panel at the U-14 level,which,according to him,is the most 'crucial' age group for a cricketer. It is very important to pick the best boys for the U-14 group. Not only for the teams success,but also for identification of talent which can be groomed for the higher age groups. It is a very important age group and can play a major role in creating a pool of players to work upon for future, points the Dronacharya awardee. The selection process at the DDCA this year,for the U-14 level,started with open trials of a pool of players. After observing the pool in various net sessions,the selection panel headed by Robin Singh Jr. created nine teams. On the basis of performances in the practice matches played between these teams,squad for the Dhruv Pandey trophy was announced. Age-old practice of conducting open trials involving junior cricketers from the state continues to get mixed reactions. Some consider it to be a good opportunity to try out raw talent while for others it is an unnecessary drill. In Gurcharans view,open trials are the way forward. If followed properly,this is the right process. It can help you exploit potential from regular clubs and raw local talent at the same time. Performance should be the only criteria. Agar ladke mai dum hai (if the boy has the potential),then there is no reason he should not find a place in the team, says Gurcharan,who has headed the DDCA selection for years in the past. We made teams for years in the DDCA,and delivered with a lot of trophies during our tenure, he adds. Mixed feelings With one of his wards representing Delhi U-14 this year,Gurcharan was content and disappointed at the same time. Pointing at a young left-hander batting in the corner net,the experienced coach minced no words in lavishing praise over the talented player,who wasn't picked. Just look at that boy. At such a young age,he is not afraid to face the fastest bowlers from the academy. Just observe him for some time and you wont find him getting hit on the pad even once. He was not selected for the U-14 team this year,but has a bright future ahead, says Gurcharan who is a strong advocate of young talent. The 2011-2012 season was a year to remember for the veteran coach. One of his wards went on to represent Delhi U-14 and played a pivotal role in Delhis title triumph. Salil Malhotra,who was previously ignored in the first lot of selected players during trials that season,went on to score an unbeaten 120 in the final against Jammu and Kashmir,and later received a call for the U-19 camp the same year. You see the boy batting in this net (pointing at the net Salil was batting). He was too ignored in the first lot of players but when given an opportunity,he scored a century in the final of the Dhruv Pandey Trophy. After the U-14 season,he represented Delhi at the U-16 level last year (2012-13) too. After his U-16 season,he played the DDCA Open League and scored a fine 84 in one of the games. For a 15-year old,facing one of the best bowlers from the state,that too on a chilly winter morning,and batting for 45 overs is not something ordinary, recalls a proud coach. New committee brings hope With a major shuffle in the DDCA Sports Committee this year,Gurcharan feels a change is always good and has a piece of advice for the junior selectors. Look a change is always good. For instance,a captain changes a bowler,who has been bowling unsuccessfully for about 8-10 overs,for a wicket. The new committee brings hope,but it is important for our selectors to conduct a fair trial. They should not be under any sort of pressure while selecting the squad,and should field the best possible XI. I feel it is very important to have the best selectors at the U-14 level,who can identify and encourage the talent from the state.
