As the aroma of freshly mown pitches signals another domestic cricket season, the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) has meticulously unveiled its strategic blueprint for the teams, blending continuity with a refreshing infusion of new leadership. The announcements come after a season of mixed fortunes, where the men`s senior team grappled with inconsistency, while their women counterparts demonstrated commendable prowess.
At the helm of the men`s senior team, former India off-spinner Sarandeep Singh sees his tenure as Head Coach extended. A familiar face in Delhi cricket circles, Singh`s retention by the three-member Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) signals a desire for stability and a consistent approach. Having represented India in both Tests and ODIs, Sarandeep brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience to the dressing room. He will be supported by a seasoned team comprising Kuldeep Rawat, V. Aravind, and the newly inducted Kshitiz Sharma, who steps into the fold.
The men`s senior selection panel also largely maintains its structure, with K.P. Bhaskar retaining his position alongside Yashpal Sharma and Manu Nayar. This continuity in the selection process is perhaps a tacit acknowledgment of the challenges faced last season, where the senior men`s team, despite reaching the quarterfinals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, fell short of qualifying for the knockout stages of the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. The pressure to elevate performance this season will undoubtedly be immense for both the coaching and selection staff.
However, it is in women`s cricket where Delhi has truly shone, and the DDCA`s new appointments reflect a strong commitment to building on this success. The Delhi senior women`s team enjoyed a remarkable last season, reaching the knockout stages in three competitions and clinching the prestigious U23 T20 Trophy. This impressive run has paved the way for significant leadership changes aimed at fostering continued excellence.
A landmark appointment sees former India women`s cricketer Reema Malhotra taking the reins as Chairperson of the women`s selection committee. Malhotra, who boasts a distinguished international career spanning a Test, 41 ODIs, and 22 T20Is, brings a contemporary understanding of the game and its evolving demands. Her elevation to this pivotal role also hints at a potential national role for her predecessor, former India all-rounder Amita Sharma, a testament to the talent pool emerging from Delhi cricket`s administrative ranks.
Complementing Malhotra`s leadership is Deepti Dhyani, who steps in as the new Head Coach for the Delhi senior women`s team. Known for her coaching acumen, including mentoring India women`s opener Pratika Rawal, Dhyani`s appointment is a strategic move to infuse fresh energy and tactical depth. She will be supported by a specialized coaching staff: Gautam Vadhera for batting, Ashish Malhotra for bowling, and Mandeep Kaur overseeing fielding – a holistic approach to player development.
Youth development remains a cornerstone, with Devender Sharma, the childhood coach of cricketing stalwarts Rishabh Pant and Mayank Yadav from the iconic Sonnet Club, retained as a crucial member of the junior women`s selection committee. He will work alongside chairperson Tilak Raj Sharma and Sushma Chaudhary, ensuring a robust pipeline of talent for the future.
Further bolstering the support structure are the appointments within the High Performance Group. Bantu Singh has been named the chief batting coach for the women`s team, while Gursharan Singh takes on the same vital role for the men`s team. They will be assisted by Kailash Rawat and Sumit Dogra respectively, underlining a focused effort to hone batting skills across the board. Curiously, the mentors introduced for the Delhi state cricket teams just last year appear to have vanished from the current season`s roster, leaving one to ponder the ever-evolving nature of domestic cricket strategy – a cycle as predictable, perhaps, as a spinner`s googly.
This comprehensive set of appointments, from the senior teams down to junior development, paints a clear picture: Delhi cricket is not merely reacting to past results but proactively building a framework for sustained success. It’s a bold statement, blending experienced leadership with new perspectives, all aimed at nurturing talent and bringing silverware back to the capital`s cricketing shelves.
Rupert Hartwell