In a swift move, Yash Dhull has been removed as the captain of the Delhi cricket team after the side suffered a heavy defeat against Puducherry in their opening Ranji Trophy match. The decision was made hours after the loss, with senior batter Himmat Singh taking over the captaincy responsibilities. Delhi is set to play against Jammu and Kashmir in their upcoming game from January 12.
Yash Dhull, who led the U-19 team to World Cup victory, was appointed as the captain of the Delhi side in an attempt to rejuvenate the team’s performance. However, since making his debut in February 2022, Dhull has struggled with form, scoring 1185 runs at an average of 43.88. In the recent Ranji Trophy match against Puducherry, Dhull made scores of two and 23 in a nine-wicket loss at home.
DDCA joint secretary Rajan Manchanda explained the decision, stating, “Yash is a talented player but is out of form. We wanted him to do well as a batter, that is why we have relieved him of captaincy duties. Himmat is our senior player and has done very well for us. He will captain the side.”
The 21-year-old Dhull, who had also led the side in white-ball tournaments earlier in the season, faced challenges against fast bowlers and was reluctant to open the innings. In a bid to bring stability to the team, the leadership change was deemed necessary.
Himmat Singh, the new captain, has prior experience leading the Delhi side. He led the team to a memorable victory over Mumbai last season in the absence of Yash Dhull. The 27-year-old, with 22 first-class games under his belt, made his debut in 2017. Himmat Singh’s leadership will be crucial as Delhi seeks to bounce back from the early setback in the Ranji Trophy.
The Delhi cricket team has been in the headlines for various reasons in recent times. Last year, senior players Nitish Rana and Dhruv Shorey left Delhi and joined UP and Vidarbha, respectively. The team has witnessed changes and challenges, and the decision to remove Yash Dhull from the captaincy is aimed at bringing about positive changes and steering the team in a new direction.
Senior pacers Navdeep Saini and Ishant Sharma won’t be traveling with the team to Jammu for the upcoming match. It has been reported that Ishant Sharma will be available only for Delhi’s home games in the current Ranji Trophy season.
Delhi, a team with a rich history in Ranji Trophy, has won the prestigious title seven times. However, their last triumph came in the 2007-08 season. The team’s performance in recent years has been under scrutiny, and the change in leadership is indicative of the management’s commitment to addressing the challenges and bringing about a turnaround.
As Delhi prepares to face Jammu and Kashmir in the next Ranji Trophy encounter, the spotlight will be on the team’s new captain, Himmat Singh, and the collective effort to overcome obstacles and pursue success in the ongoing tournament. The decision to remove Yash Dhull as the captain is part of a strategic move to reinvigorate the team and set a positive course for the remainder of the season.