Yash Dhull is 20 years old. In recent years, he was the captain of the Indian team that won the U-19 World Cup in 2022. He also made centuries on debut in both Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy. Clearly, he is someone who has a bright future. Perhaps, one day, he could become the Indian captain but that day is quite distant at the moment. However, the Delhi & District Cricket Association, in their infinite wisdom have appointed Dull as the captain of the Delhi Ranji team. Was it the correct decision? Having played a handful of first class games, shouldn’t Dull be allowed to concentrate on his game and develop his batting against every kind of bowling? Also, Rameez Raja, the PCB’s chief has been whining about India. This blog is about Dull’s elevation and Rameez’s lament.
Inexperience of Dhull
Dhull in his team will have the most experienced cricketer in Ishant Sharma. Now, Ishant has played more than 100 tests whereas Dhull is not even in the reckoning at the moment. Wouldn’t it have been better if Ishant had been made the captain? I will not subscribe to the theory of not making a bowler the captain. Whether Ishant is a captaincy material is something we will never know.
Dhull is now left with commanding his most experienced cricketer on the field. Will he be able to raise to the occasion or will he crumble under the added responsibility? Having become the captain at such an young age, will his batting be able to withstand the additional pressure? I am sure Yash Dhull will want to score as many runs as possible to get into the Indian national team. After the recent performances of the Indian team, stocks of players like Dhull has increased. We have multiple players who are either out of form or on the wrong side of 30s.
Dhull would have been happy to concentrate on batting
He is not at the stage of his career where he needs to think about team composition, field placement, bowling changes, motivating the players, interacting with the press and other mundane captaincy related tasks. He will be better off in trying to improve his game and be ready whenever called for national duty. With this appointment, he may not get the time to think about his game. Ofcourse, captaincy in any format for any team is an honour but is this the correct age, that is what the question is. Harsha Bhogle, who knows a thing or two about the game has tweeted,
“I wonder why you would want an inexperienced 20 year old to be captain of a Ranji Trophy team; especially a high profile team like Delhi? Wouldn’t Yash Dhull be better off just growing his game and adding to his undoubted ability?”
Supporters of such an appointment will point to the fact that it is not that uncommon to appoint a youngster as the captain. Afterall, this happened at the highest level. Graeme Smith was appointed as the captain of the South African national team when he was barely 21. He had to content with stalwarts around him in Kallis, Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock and a few others. Yet, his appointment proved to be a masterstroke for South Africa. They achieved heights that previously seemed unsurmountable.
The life of Unmukt Chand
It is prudent to look at how Unmukt Chand’s career has panned out. He too hailed from Delhi and he too was a winner of the U-19 World Cup. At that point, there were lot of calls, including that of Ian Chappell to induct him straight into the Indian team. He quickly grew extremely huge for his own size and lost his way. There was even Pepsi advertisement in which he was one among the elite Indian cricketers and his lines were, “how much ever you try, you cannot come into my team but if I want, I can come into your team rightaway”.
The audacity of that statement probably proved his undoing. He wasn’t able to handle that fame and adulation and had a miserable first class career for Delhi. At the age of 29, with proper guidance and support, when he could have turned out in Indian colours, he has migrated to America and may as well turn out in American colours. Youngsters with loads of talent will have to be treated carefully so that they can realise their potential. One hopes that Dhull does not meet a similar fate
If this works and Dhull is able to handle both is batting and captaincy with aplomb, DDCA will be hailed but if it fails, DDCA must ensure that there is a proper mechanism to guide the youngster.
Rameez Raja’s whining
The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman, Rameez Raja has accused the ICC of being biased towards the Indian cricket board.
“They are circumspect and not forthcoming because India produces the entire ICC wealth, and so their position, unfortunately, is compromised as a result.”
He has also said that the world wants to watch India against Pakistan. Well, I am sorry to say Rameez, we do not. We are happy with our games against England or Australia or South Africa and other nations. We do not miss playing against Pakistan. I know the reason you want to see these games happen because one series against India, PCB and the players will be set for a couple of years. The income from an Indian series will always be much sought after by every board in the world and PCB is not an exception.
Wrapping up Dull’s elevation and Rameez’s lament
It remains to be seen how Dhull handles his elevation. He will do well to concentrate on his batting a bit more than his captaincy. As for Rameez Raja, there is no point in blaming Indian board because leave alone the ICC, none of the board is strong enough to withstand the pressure of the Indian board. He will have to search for alternative avenues to raise the required revenue.