Photo via Hindustan Times

Mentor Rajkumar Sharma wants Delhi to rediscover its swagger

Delhi cricket’s recent struggles in domestic competitions—including a quarter-final finish in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and early exits in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Ranji Trophy—have underscored a need for systemic change. To address this, the Delhi & District Cricket Association has appointed former India batter Virat Kohli’s mentor, Rajkumar Sharma, as the state’s new mentor across all age groups.

Sharma, a Dronacharya awardee, aims to bridge the gap between individual talent and team success, emphasizing transparent selection processes and fostering a culture of pride in representing Delhi. The state continues to produce top-tier players like Rishabh Pant, Ayush Badoni, Priyansh Arya, and Prince Yadav, who are already part of national or A-team squads, but Sharma’s focus is on creating a sustainable pathway for these athletes to thrive collectively.

He has highlighted Delhi’s depth in batting, with standout prospects such as Sanat Sangwan, Ayush Doseja, Anuj Rawat, and Yash Dhull poised for higher recognition if they deliver consistent performances. Sharma’s role, alongside newly appointed head coach Vijay Dahiya, is to restore the competitive edge and swagger that once defined Delhi’s teams, when the state regularly fielded eight to nine Test cricketers in its lineup.

The team kicks off the new Ranji Trophy season with a trip to Kalyani, West Bengal, where Sharma’s vision of merit-based cohesion and renewed pride will be put to the test.

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