Virender Sehwag's attack on Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has once again exposed the infighting within the sports body with officials speaking in different voices.

A senior, powerful functionary in the DDCA told TOI, "Sehwag's cousin (Mayank Tehlan) was not in form so was dropped. Sehwag wants him back but to accommodate him, we'll have to drop either Shikhar Dhawan or Virat Kohli (both middle-order batsmen with India aspirations) and we can't do that."

Reacting to the allegation, Sehwag told TOI from Bangalore, "This (charge) is totally false. I have never asked anyone to pick any of my brothers or cousins in any team. Just ask Chetan Chauhan - because he was the chairman of the selection committee - if Viru has ever asked for any of his cousins to be selected."

Chauhan, also the vice-president of the executive committee and a former India opener, backed Sehwag's claims, saying, "It is a wake-up call for Delhi cricket and I am glad Sehwag has made a bold move by speaking out against corruption."

A member of the committee told TOI: "Sehwag's pressure tactics will not work here. He has been playing for Delhi for 11 years and now he chooses to speak out? Everyone knows he was upset at a family relation being dropped from the Ranji team."

Sports secretary Sunil Dev said: "Since when is it Sehwag's job to select teams? The sons of some sports committee members have been playing for years, and some of them are talented. Why speak up now? It is just an empty threat. He is welcome to take a no-objection certificate anytime and go to Haryana."

The sports committee has for long been under attack from both within and outside the organization for blatant disregard of norms.

Sehwag isn't the first to consider moving out, either: A slew of players have left the state in the past after being disillusioned with the selection system. Some notable ex-players hired as coaches or managers too quit after being hemmed in by the demands of powerful elements. Sadly, though, the DDCA continues to remain a cesspool of vested interests.