The Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) has meticulously crafted its leadership framework for the upcoming domestic season, blending familiar expertise with fresh perspectives. From coaching staff to selection panels, the recent announcements signal a clear intent: to elevate performance across all categories, particularly in the wake of a mixed bag of results last year.
Sarandeep Singh Returns to Steer Men`s Fortunes
In a move that underscores continuity, former India off-spinner and national selector Sarandeep Singh has been retained as the head coach for Delhi`s senior men`s team. Sarandeep, who donned the national colours in three Tests and five ODIs between 2000 and 2003, will continue to lead the charge, a decision confirmed by the DDCA`s Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).
His retention comes after a domestic season where the men`s team showed glimpses of potential, reaching the quarterfinals of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, but ultimately fell short of qualifying for the knockout stages of both the Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. The challenge for Sarandeep and his team this season will be to translate promise into consistent, trophy-contending performances.
Supporting the Men`s Squad
Sarandeep will be ably assisted by a seasoned support staff. Kuldeep Rawat and V. Aravind continue in their roles, while Kshitiz Sharma joins the ranks, replacing Bantu Singh. This blend of known quantities and a new addition suggests a focused approach to address the specific areas needing improvement.
The senior men`s selection panel also sees stability, with K.P. Bhaskar retaining his position alongside Yashpal Sharma and Manu Nayar. Their task will be to identify and nurture talent that can withstand the rigours of first-class and white-ball cricket, steering Delhi back to its dominant days.
A New Dawn for Delhi Women`s Cricket
Perhaps the most exciting developments come from the women`s cricket landscape. Building on a successful last season—where the Delhi women`s team reached the knockouts in three competitions and clinched the U23 T20 Trophy—the DDCA has injected significant new leadership.
Former India women`s cricketer Reema Malhotra takes the helm as the chairperson of the selection committee. Reema, whose international career spanned a Test, 41 ODIs, and 22 T20Is from 2003 to 2013, brings a wealth of playing experience and strategic insight to this crucial role. Her appointment is a strong indicator of the DDCA`s commitment to empowering women`s cricket, and, interestingly, could pave the way for her predecessor, former India all-rounder Amita Sharma, to potentially join the national women`s selection committee.
Leading the Women from the Front
The Delhi senior women`s team will now be guided by new head coach Deepti Dhyani, notable for having coached India women`s opener Pratika Rawal. Dhyani’s appointment signals a fresh tactical approach for a team already demonstrating significant promise. She will be supported by a specialized coaching team:
- Gautam Vadhera (Batting)
- Ashish Malhotra (Bowling)
- Mandeep Kaur (Fielding)
This structured approach to coaching, with dedicated specialists, reflects a modern and professional outlook towards developing women cricketers.
Nurturing Junior Talent
The continuity extends to the junior women`s selection committee, where Devender Sharma, famously the childhood coach of Rishabh Pant and Mayank Yadav at the iconic Sonnet Club, has been retained. He will serve alongside chairperson Tilak Raj Sharma and Sushma Chaudhary, tasked with identifying and shaping the next generation of female cricketing stars for Delhi.
Strategic Adjustments and the Curious Case of the Mentors
Beyond the primary coaching and selection roles, the DDCA has also outlined appointments within its High Performance Group. Bantu Singh, who previously served as an assistant coach for the men`s senior team, has been named the chief batting coach for the women`s teams, while Gursharan Singh will fulfill the same role for the men`s teams. They will be assisted by Kailash Rawat and Sumit Dogra, respectively.
Interestingly, the cadre of mentors introduced for the Delhi state cricket teams just last year finds no mention in the arrangements for the 2025/26 season. One might infer that their strategic guidance, like a perfectly executed but solitary sweep shot, served its purpose in a single moment, not requiring a recurring performance. It suggests the DDCA is refining its approach, perhaps streamlining roles for maximum impact.
A Season of Renewed Ambition
As the new domestic season approaches, the DDCA`s appointments signal a calculated effort to foster success. With Sarandeep Singh providing continuity for the men and a dynamic new leadership team spearheading women`s cricket, Delhi is poised for a challenging yet potentially rewarding period. The blend of experienced hands and fresh strategic minds suggests a concerted push to bring domestic silverware back to the capital and, perhaps more importantly, to continue producing the national talent for which Delhi cricket is renowned.
