The last first-class season as captain of Delhi team did not go according to his plans, nor did the few matches he played for his Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Capitals this year, but it is clear that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is heavily invested in Yash Dhull.
The right-handed batsman, who led India to the under-19 World Cup victory last year, has been selected as skipper of the India A team that will compete in the Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup from July 13 to 23 in Sri Lanka.
The 15-member India team also includes pace bowler Harshit Rana, who has represented Delhi under-19s and recently scored a century for North Zone in the Duleep Trophy.
Dhull, who was below par last season, aggregated 270 runs in six matches at an average of 27 with two fifties in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 after a brilliant start in the 2021-22 Ranji season in which he made 479 runs in three games.
But a fruitful knock in the DDCA Hot Weather although in a losing cause brought him into groove. He hammered 98 off 42 balls before his club was ousted on the spin of a coin.
“Last season was a bit of a dampener. But I wasn’t bothered too much about it. Because a cricketer faces everything in his career. We don’t have to be worried about this because incidents of success are less than those of failure,” said Dhull to Patriot on the sidelines of the just-concluded DDCA Hot Weather Tournament.
“All those things (failures) are not in my hand. Everything is normal. I am doing what I have been doing. When I score runs, then also I practice, when I don’t, then also I practice. But the thing is that my mindset has to stay fresh and for that I don’t think much [about failures]. That is why players like me learn how to improve and identify errors. Everything is important – ups and downs,” added Dhull.
The 20-year-old will lead a side that comprises some of the performers from domestic cricket and a good performance here may just help him and others to knock on the doors of the Indian team.
The Emerging Teams Asia Cup will be played in a 50-over format, which is what is the focus this year ahead of the forthcoming 50-over World Cup to be held in the country.
Dhull has been trying to bat aggressively this season and while the method has produced an odd good knock, it has also led to some failures.
“There was no problem. It is all about the right time. Failure comes to every player. I was getting dismissed on those shots only. I wasn’t thinking too much about it. Rishabh Pant has told me to enjoy cricket and not carry worries.”
