At a time when success in the Ranji Trophy — India’s premier First Class competition — is more democratic than ever before, Delhi has found itself behind the curve. It is rather damning that the northern outfit, which has won seven Ranji titles, has failed to get past the group stage in each of the last seven seasons. While it did finish runner-up in 2017-18, the last time that the domestic giant hoisted the grand prize was way back in the 2007-08 campaign.
It came under the guidance of Vijay Dahiya, who was in his first season as coach after retiring from the game in 2006. Having had multiple stints since then, the 53-year-old, a feisty wicketkeeper-batter during his playing days, has been given charge again.
Dahiya feels his biggest challenge will be in the longer version. Never mind that Delhi hasn’t won a white-ball tournament either since lifting the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2017-18.
Gap visible
“Red-ball cricket has been a challenge. There’s no denying it. The gap between good teams and the rest is more visible in this format. It takes a little bit of time to build, but we have the ingredients,” he told The Hindu after his appointment on Friday.
According to Dahiya, it is important that the players are made aware of Delhi’s proud history. “I will try and remind them of the team that they play for. We have a history. We need to change a little bit of the mentality to play this format,” he said.
Can Dahiya’s memories of the Ranji-winning 2007-08 season spur the current bunch?
“It was a long time ago. Personally, there is something, but that doesn’t connect with this lot,” was his matter-of-fact response.
“They have to make their own memories. They have to make their own history. I will try to be part of that.”
“They have to make their own memories. They have to make their own history. I will try to be part of that”
Published – September 26, 2026 05:37 pm IST
