Ranji Trophy 2024: Delhi remove Yash Dhull after Puducherry loss, Himmat Singh appointed as new captain

After Delhi’s shock defeat to Puducherry in the ongoing Ranji Trophy 2023-24 match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, it was announced that Delhi will be removing 21-year-old batter Yash Dhull as the skipper and Himmat Singh will take the reins of the side going forward.

Himmat Singh will be the captain of Delhi when the side takes on Jammu and Kashmir in an away game on January 12. Being the captain of India’s under-19 squad, which won the World Cup in 2022, Yash Dhull was appointed as Delhi’s captain in December 2022 and even scored a brilliant century on his captaincy debut.

Himmat, who is six years older than Yash Dhull, has captaincy experience as he has fulfilled his role as the stand-in skipper in the 21-year-old’s absence, and it is also worth noting that Singh has scored 1174 runs at an average of 39.13. Moreover, he also averaged 45.25 last season in 22 First Class games. 

Yash is talented player but out of form, we wanted him to do well as batter: DDCA Joint Secretary

Speaking of Himmat Singh’s appointment and Yash Dhull’s removal as the skipper, the joint secretary of the Delhi Cricket Association (DDCA), Rajan Manchanda, came forward to opine that while Dhull was a talented player, he has been out of form from quite some time now. Hence, the decision was made keeping in mind the best interests of the side.

"Yash is a talented player but is out of form. We wanted him to do well as a batter, which is why we have relieved him of captaincy duties. Himmat is our senior player and has done very well for us. He will captain the side," DDCA joint secretary Manchanda was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

As for Delhi’s next Ranji Trophy game against Jammu & Kashmir, it was informed that Navdeep Saini and Ishant Sharma will not be travelling with the side as Saini was named in the India A squad who will face England, with veteran Ishan Sharma only being available for the side’s home games.