New Delhi: The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) is poised to take stringent action against two prominent cricket figures: former India wicketkeeper Surinder Khanna, a member of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), and Ashu Dani, the chief junior selector and a former Delhi player. Both are expected to be relieved of their duties following their involvement in the controversial Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL), a tournament held in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) that recently faced an abrupt suspension.
The IHPL drew attention for all the wrong reasons, featuring international stars like Chris Gayle and Praveen Kumar, only to be suspended suddenly when organizers allegedly absconded without paying dues. This left cricketers stranded and hotel managements awaiting their payments.
Ashu Dani served as the president of the IHPL, while Surinder Khanna took on a mentor role within the league. Their high-profile association with the now-tainted league has put them directly in the DDCA’s crosshairs.
A senior DDCA official confirmed to TOI that a criminal case has been filed against Dani. “It is expected he will resign himself, although he claims he is innocent,” the official stated. “Otherwise, the DDCA will have to consider other actions.” Regarding Khanna, the official indicated, “His role had finished once the selection committees and coaches were appointed for the season. His job was to recommend names for these jobs. He is unlikely to be involved further in the season.”
The DDCA had previously issued a stern warning to all its stakeholders. Their statement emphasized that players, coaches, support staff, and match officials engaged with the DDCA are “required to refrain from association with or participation in any unapproved, unauthorised, or unrecognised leagues, matches or tournaments, whether being held within the state or elsewhere.” Furthermore, individuals are “expected to disclose any such relationship or possible conflict of interest immediately and shall ensure that no such conflict persist or subsist and, shall cease immediately.”
The association made it unequivocally clear that “in case of any such unauthorised association, conduct or possible conflict comes to the notice of the DDCA, appropriate action shall be taken against the individual.” This underscores the DDCA’s commitment to maintaining integrity and accountability within its ranks, especially in the wake of the IHPL scandal.