No vision, no urgency: DDCA yet to begin prep for 2025–26 season

In the previous domestic cricket season, the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) announced its selection committees and coaching/support staff just 20 days before Delhi’s first Ranji Trophy match against Chhattisgarh. It came as little surprise then that Chhattisgarh—still considered minnows in domestic cricket—gave Delhi a tough fight and almost secured the crucial first-innings lead.

Eventually, Delhi failed to qualify for the knockout stage of the Ranji Trophy for the sixth consecutive year, a season marred by poor selections and inconsistent player performances.

The habitual delay in appointing selectors, coaches, and support staff has been a recurring issue—and a major contributor to Delhi’s continued decline. Yet, irrespective of who leads it, the DDCA refuses to learn from past mistakes.

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Refusing to improve

Following another disappointing performance in the 2022–23 domestic season, the DDCA appointed a three-member Technical Expert Group (TEG) to conduct a review and suggest improvements. The committee, chaired by former Delhi captain Madan Lal, submitted a candid and scathing report identifying multiple reasons for the poor outcomes.

On cricketing matters, the report noted a “common thread” across all teams: “DDCA teams were poorly prepared.” Among the prime reasons cited was the “last-minute appointment of selectors/coaches/support staff” and the “last-minute haphazard selection process”.

Ironically, although DDCA president Rohan Jaitley appointed the committee, he later claimed he had never received the report. The TEG members, however, confirmed they had emailed it to him. If Jaitley truly never saw it, the question arises: why did he—or his colleagues—approve the fees for the committee members? And if he did know of the report, why did he not ask for it? The episode points to deeper dysfunction within the DDCA.

Still no plan for 2025–26

True to form, the DDCA has yet to make any move to prepare for the 2025–26 season. While its offices at Ferozeshah Kotla remain occupied with hosting Indian Premier League matches, no structural planning is underway.

In contrast, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA)—also busy hosting IPL fixtures—has already begun preparations. On May 16, it invited applications for coaches, selectors, and support staff for the 2025–26 season. Mumbai has good reason to plan ahead: it will be defending four domestic titles.

Even smaller state associations are showing more urgency and organisation than the DDCA. On May 9, the Assam Cricket Association began accepting applications for coaches and technical staff for all age-group teams, with a deadline of May 17.

Several north-eastern state associations, despite having far fewer resources than Delhi, are already ahead in their preparations. For example, the Andhra Cricket Association held a workshop-cum-refresher course this month for its panel of state cricket umpires. The session was attended by 45 umpires in anticipation of the upcoming season.

Across the country, state bodies are not only preparing senior squads but also organising junior-level tournaments to identify and nurture fresh talent. Tripura, for instance, hosted the North-East Little Masters Trophy in April and the North-East Rising Cup 2025 for under-15 girls.

Also read: IPL diary: Tournament reschedule may hit India’s preparations for England Tests

Delhi’s inertia persists

Before the 2025-26 domestic season starts, the DDCA might host the second edition of the Delhi Premier League T20. However, even that requires considerable planning, something that appears to be sorely lacking.

Unfortunately, there is little urgency or accountability among those in charge. From Rohan Jaitley downward, no one seems particularly concerned.