Delhi removed their young captain, Yash Dhull, mere hours after suffering a nine-wicket defeat against Puducherry in the opening match of the Ranji Trophy 2023-24 season. This decision comes at a time when the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) has been under scrutiny for the team’s lacklustre performances on the domestic circuit, and facing constant criticism for biased selections and overall team management. The 21-year-old Dhull, who had led the side in white-ball tournaments earlier in the season, was sacked after his personal struggles with the bat, managing scores of only 2 and 23 in the two innings against Puducherry.
Explaining the decision to replace Dhull after just one game, Rajan Manchanda, the DDCA’s joint-secretary, stated that the move was aimed at alleviating some pressure from the young player and allowing him to rediscover his batting form. Himmat Singh has taken over the captaincy role from Dhull.
“Yash is a talented player but is out of form,” Manchanda was quoted as saying by PTI. “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.”
In the opening fixture, Delhi suffered a comprehensive defeat at the hands of Puducherry, who showcased superior performances with both bat and ball, despite having first played in the competition just over half a decade ago. Himmat Singh, 27, will now take charge as the captain, leading the team in the upcoming away game against Jammu and Kashmir starting from January 12.