Attack on Amit Bhandari could have been prevented had selectors informed DDCA: Gautam Gambhir

Delhi [India], Feb 13 (ANI): Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir on Wednesday said the attack on the Delhi and Districts Cricket Association senior selection committee chairman Amit Bhandari could have been prevented had the selectors informed the DDCA on time.
“This could have been prevented had selectors informed the DDCA on time. The player (Under-23 cricketer Anuj Dedha) will straight away get life ban not only from the matches organised by the BCCI but also he cannot play any tournament affiliated with DDCA. Even DDCA won't provide any ground where he can enter,” Gambhir told ANI.
When asked whether an internal inquiry committee will be formed, member of the 2011 world cup winning team said: “Internal inquiry committee will be formed but I do not believe in inquiries, I believe in actions as all these years I have seen committees being formed but the case going into the carpet. Ultimately, action should be taken on time.”
Meanwhile, India are slated to play home series against Australia from February 24 to March 13. The series will comprise two T20Is followed by five-match ODIs.
Talking about the upcoming series, Gambhir asserts the team that will play at the World Cup should play against Australia because it will be the last series before the commencement of the much-awaited tournament.
“When you have good innings against Australia, it automatically boosts your confidence. So, I think India's best team should play against Australia. The selectors should decide on the combinations here only,” he said.
When quizzed whether opener Rohit Sharma should be given rest before the World Cup, the former cricketer said: “I do not think so. Rohit Sharma has not played cricket throughout the season. He did not play Test cricket and he only played in one-dayers. So, he must continue because Australia is a competitive side. Had it been Bangladesh or Zimbabwe then giving him rest would have made sense.”
Reflecting on the former captain MS Dhoni’s performance, Gambhir said in one-day series against Australia and New Zealand, Dhoni was brilliant.
“Best thing is he is back in form the way he was in 2018, which is a good sign for Indian cricket. When MS as a wicketkeeper is in form, the middle order becomes stronger because you have experience. I won't say we do not have good players or big-hitters, they do have Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya but MS Dhoni's form is important because when you play five pure batsmen and then two allrounders, then I think for Dhoni making runs is important. It is good he made runs against Australia and New Zealand,” he said.
World Cup 2019 is slated to take place from May 30 to July 14 in England and Wales. (ANI)