A file image of India cricket team coach Ravi Shastri.
DDCA Elections 2018: India cricket team head coach Ravi Shastri has come out in support of IndiaTV Chairman and Editor-in-Chief Rajat Sharma ahead of the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) elections, scheduled to be held on June 30. Mr. Sharma, who is Padma Bhushan awardee, is contesting for the post of DDCA President.
Shastri, a former India all-rounder who has represented India in 80 Tests and 150 ODIs, said Mr. Sharma is the top man for the top post.
"I will wish Rajat bhai all the best (for the DDCA election) because the kind of experience, exposure and the man-management qualities he has. He interacts with a lot of people from different disciplines," the 56-year-old Shastri said.
"So, I feel all this will be a huge bonus when it comes to contesting this elections. It's a top post and it's a top man contending for that post. All the best, Rajat bhai," he added.
Shastri is the latest high-profile cricketer to throw his weight behind Mr. Sharma. Earlier, present and former cricketers like Gautam Gambhir, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag and Aakash Chopra have expressed their support for Mr. Sharma as DDCA President.
"I feel Rajat Sharma ji is the best candidate in all the three groups. He has a clean image and he is a great administrator. I am sure he will do a very good job because of the kind of image and experience he has. I am sure he is someone who should take this DDCA forward and he is the right candidate. I am sure people will come forward and support him," said Gambhir, who has played 242 internationals for India, scoring over 10,000 runs in all three formats.
Gambhir's long-time opening partner and aggressive batsman Sehwag, meanwhile, said Mr. Sharma is the best person to lead DDCA and will bring fresh changes to the state body.
"DDCA elections are coming and I feel Rajat Sharma ji is the best candidate for the post of President because of the way he has led IndiaTV to success. He is a strong administrator. I feel he is very strong candidate. So, I am supporting him. He will bring fresh changes to DDCA for the betterment of the cricket body," said Sehwag, who has played 374 international matches for India, amassing over 17,000 runs across all formats.
Meanwhile, veteran India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh also wished Mr. Sharma ahead of the elections.
"Hi Rajat ji, I would like to wish all the best for your upcoming DDCA elections," Harbhajan Singh said.
While Aakash Chopra, who has played as an opener for Delhi and Indian cricket team, said he hopes Mr. Sharma will win and take Delhi cricket forward.
"The success of Delhi cricket lies in its administration. I feel if Delhi cricket is rightly managed and administered then nobody can stop Delhi cricket from going forward. Mr. Rajat Sharma is fighting for the post of the President and I am wishing him all the very best. Hope he wins and takes Delhi cricket forward," Chopra said.
Mr. Sharma's team consists of Rakesh Bansal who will fight for the post of Vice President, Vinod Tihara (Secretary), Om Prakash Sharma(Treasurer) and Rajan Manchanda (Joint Secretary).
