Aspirants troop in for sports trials; cricket reigns supreme
A cricket crazy nation ought to have at least one cricket crazy university. Delhi University students are going all out to prove it Karan Choudhury.
A cricket crazy nation ought to have at least one cricket crazy university. Delhi University students are going all out to prove it.
The popularity of the game can be gauged by the fact that most students applying through sports quota are opting for cricket as the game of their choice.
Dr. Savita Kochar, sports in-charge at Hansraj College, said, “India is all about cricket. During the trials we have to go through a minimum of 50 players per day. The number is increasing every year. The glitz, glamour and the sheer madness attached to the game appeals to most.”
The biggest championship at the university level is the Inter-College Championship. There is an Inter-University Championship as well.
Getting admission through the sports quota and being part of the college teams, however, takes a little more than just love of the game. The aspirants need to have certificates of either inter-school, under-16, under-19 championships to boost their chances of getting the marks allotted against them. Then a member committee comprising the faculty members puts them through rigorous tests.
“True cricketers” are what Hindu College claims it looks for during the trials. The place has churned out a slew of international-level cricketers like Gautam Gambhir and Murli Kartik.
“We have had the best college team in the recent times. Cricket gets the emphasis because we are good at it. But the selection process is tough as everyone who has ever played a little cricket thinks he is the one,” said Jai Inder Pal Singh, director of sports, Hindu College.