Dahiya—who had just hung up his boots—found a friendly dressing room, and outside, Prabhakar’s vital tips urged young hopefuls forward. Late in the season, the BCCI’s decision to use neutral venue from the semi-final stage also contributed.

On neutral venue, Delhi played a better game, just when it mattered.

Eyebrows were raised before the season, noting that Delhi lacked a quality spinner. But their pace attack—Sangwan, Parvinder Awana, Amit Bhandari and all-rounder Rajat Bhatia — proved that even a team without a good spinner could emerge champions.

The season can also be looked as the return of experienced Delhi players to the domestic season. Gautam Gambhir, Chopra, Bhatia, Mitthun Manhas all stood up to the occasion.

Chopra came back with a bang, wiping out his last season’s inconsistencies, proving the critics wrong.

Dahiya says it was nothing but great self confidence, and team effort. “It was because players believed in themselves, right from the start, and they knew they could do it,” he says.

The coach was in full praise of young pacer Sangwan who played a crucial role in the team’s victory in the final. Sangwan was called back from South Africa where he was in the U-19 national duty.

“Youngsters have played really well and everyone was taking up responsibilities. Sangwan did a remarkable job. When we started the season, everyone was asking about our bowling strength and everyone was questioning whether we will ever be able to have an outright win. But the way Sangwan bowled, he proved that we had a good attack,” Dahiya said.

... contd.