HRD Minister Kapil Sibal on Friday, requested St Stephen's College Principal Walson Thampu to use his discretionary powers to ensure that junior cricketer Unmukt Chand, the captain of U-19 World Cup winning team, does not lose an academic year due to low attendance.

Sibal spoke to Thampu after India captain M S Dhoni and Sports Minister Ajay Maken rallied behind Chand. Talking to reporters, Sibal said, "I have requested Walson Thampu if he could use his discretionary powers to ensure that Unmukt could sit for his university exams.