DDCA refuses to learn from its mistakes, BCCI adds to its despair

The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) continues to receive the cold shoulder from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). In the revised home schedule for international fixtures, the BCCI has removed Delhi’s marquee Test match against No 2-ranked South Africa and instead allotted a Test against No 8 West Indies—a significant demotion by any standard.

Originally, Delhi was scheduled to host the South Africa Test from November 14 to 18. However, following widespread concerns that the city’s winter smog might affect the game, the BCCI swapped the fixture with Kolkata, instead of changing the dates. The Bengal capital, which was initially to host the second Test against the West Indies, now gets to stage the more high-profile match against South Africa—at Delhi’s expense.

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Although October is generally a smog-free month in Delhi, it is a busy period with multiple religious festivals. “For these annual festivals, people make elaborate preparations. So, it remains to be seen how many people would instead prefer to buy tickets to watch a team like the West Indies,” said a DDCA member. The Test match (October 10–14) is scheduled between Dussehra on October 2 and Diwali on October 20, with Bhaidooj following on October 23.

In addition to the Test series, South Africa will play three One-day Internationals and five T20 Internationals on their India tour. However, Delhi has not been allotted any of these matches—allegedly due to the BCCI’s contentious rotation policy. While the DDCA will host the third India–Australia women’s ODI on September 20, none of the five matches involving the visiting men’s Australia A team or the five featuring South Africa A will take place in Delhi this season.

DPL T20 auctions delayed

Preparations for the second edition of the Delhi Premier League (DPL) T20 have also hit a snag. Thus far, only a notice inviting tender (NIT) for the inclusion of two new teams—adding to the existing six—has been issued. The deadline for bid submissions is June 27, with the team auction scheduled for the next day. The player auction is set to take place on July 5, as per the NIT.

Compared to other state cricket associations, the DDCA is lagging in nearly every aspect. Mumbai, Vidarbha, Saurashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, among others, have already completed their leagues. While Tamil Nadu’s will be completed on July 6, Uttar Pradesh has completed its player auction. Mumbai has even sent an ‘emerging team’ of young players on an exposure tour to England ahead of the new season. “And due to the delay of DPL, the main cricket is badly affected — that is the main concern,” said a DDCA insider.

DDCA president Rohan Jaitley was reportedly overseas this month on his annual holiday. A senior DDCA member commented that operations have stalled in his absence. “The process for the DPL can’t move forward without him—that’s one explanation for the delay in the auction of the two new teams and the player auction thereafter. The appointment of coaching and support staff for various teams is also pending,” he said.

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BCCI continues to ignore DDCA

While several state associations—including Mumbai, Tamil Nadu, and even the perennially controversial Bihar—have already appointed coaching staff for the 2025–26 domestic season, the DDCA has not progressed beyond issuing an advertisement. The last date for submitting online applications was June 17, but the advertisement provided no information about subsequent steps such as interviews or final appointments.

The domestic season begins on August 28 with the Duleep Trophy in Bangalore. The Ranji Trophy will follow in two phases—October 15 to November 25, and January 22 to February 1—as was the format last year.

The DDCA has once again been overlooked for Duleep Trophy hosting duties. Delhi last hosted a Duleep Trophy match nine years ago. With mounting exclusions and delays, the outlook appears grim for the DDCA this season.