DDCA delays coaching staff finalisation amid DPL T20 rush

Over 300 applications have been received for the 100-plus positions by the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) for the various teams and selection committees for the 2025–26 domestic season. But the process of finalising the personnel has been quite slow due to official apathy and the clash with the Delhi Premier League (DPL) T20 starting on August 2.

First, the process began extremely late, and now it threatens to be further delayed by the month-long DPL T20. Although interviews of the applicants have begun, DDCA has reportedly set no deadline for the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) to finish the same. And since everyone at the DDCA will be focused on the DPL T20 until August 31, the process of interviews could slow down further as many applicants are involved with the DPL franchisees as well.

Quite slow process

As usual, cricket seems to be the last priority for the DDCA. While most of the other state associations—many with far fewer resources—are more organised than the DDCA, Delhi has lagged behind.

All three members of the CAC – Nikhil Chopra (chairman), Surender Khanna, and Anjali Sharma – have been retained. This was announced on June 2, almost two months ago, and before the extended deadline for aspirants for coaches’ and selectors’ positions to apply expired on June 27. But despite the extended deadline having passed over a month ago, the process to finalise the selection panels and coaching staff is going at a snail’s pace.

“The CAC chairman is abroad, and that is one reason why the interviews of the aspirants have been slow, as the Indian and American timings differ vastly. He is likely to return on August 2, but by that time the DPL T20 would have started, and all the attention would then be on that tournament. It remains to be seen if the interviews will continue to take place alongside the DPL, as many applicants are with the various franchisees and will be focused on their teams,” a DDCA source told Patriot.

“Over 300 applications have been received, and all applicants will be interviewed. Around 100 interviews have been done so far,” said the source.

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DPL opening show

The opening match will be played between defending champions East Delhi Riders and runners-up South Delhi Superstarz. It will start at 8 PM on August 2 and will be preceded by an opening ceremony featuring Punjabi pop singer Sunanda Sharma, rappers Raftaar and KRSNA, and hip-hop duo Seedhe Maut.

On most other days, double-headers have been scheduled, starting at 2 PM and 7 PM. The final is scheduled for August 31, with a reserve day on September 1, with the ominous rain threat looming large.

The source said that as of July 29, a lot of DPL T20 work is pending. “The ticket rates haven’t been announced so far, and some vendors have also not been finalised. But that is the way the DDCA always functions,” he said.