Reincarnation of the Delhi Ranji team

New Delhi, January 21: It was only last year that Delhi were beset with selection problems, and internal politics dealt a huge blow to the state’s Ranji Trophy hopes, finally just about avoiding relegation to Plate Group. It was a team that was teetering on the verge of a systemic collapse, cricket-wise and administration-wise, with resignations and a threat of big-time exodus looming.

A season later, we see a sphinx-like recovery, a brilliant run, and despite missing three of their stars, a title-grab (as they did, beating neighbours Uttar Pradesh by 9 wickets in Mumbai on Saturday). Almost like a fairytale. Their seventh crown, after 16 years on the sidelines.

Just a reminder: Virender Sehwag was not there, Ishant Sharma was not there and neither was Virat Kohli.

The Ranji title win was a true team effort. It was not through mainline contributions from just a handful, but all contributed, with bat or ball. There was one small mantra from coach Vijay Dahiya at the start of the season: go and play, forget the rest.

Like every other victory, there is also a story in figures. Veteran opener Aakash Chopra scored 765 runs this season, Rajat Bhatia made 524 runs and took 26 wickets. 17-year-old Pradeep Sangwan took 33 wickets, and he missed two Ranji matches because he was doing national duty in the under-19 team.

It was only last season—Delhi were rudderless under coach Chetan Chauhan. Rahul Sanghvi was deliberately omitted from the squad and he decided not to play for Delhi again. But new coach Dahiya and former pacer Manoj Prabhakar—bowling coach — changed it all.

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.

... contd.

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