Cricket

Vijay Dahiya demands accountability as Delhi’s Ranji Trophy campaign falters

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Nov 6, 2026, 10:36 IST

Delhi coach Vijay Dahiya has called for greater individual responsibility after his team managed only a draw against Services, leaving their Ranji Trophy season in a precarious position with seven points from four matches.

Vijay Dahiya demands accountability as Delhi’s Ranji Trophy campaign falters

Delhi concluded the opening phase of their Ranji Trophy campaign with a lackluster draw against Services at the Air Force ground in Palam on Thursday. The result leaves the side in a difficult position, having secured only three points from the encounter and totaling just seven points across their first four matches of the season.

The final day of play saw Services set an ambitious target of 320 runs for Delhi to chase in 56 overs. This scenario was established after Services captain Rajat Paliwal anchored his team’s innings with a century, marking his second hundred of the match. While Delhi showed brief intent to pursue the target, the dismissals of Priyansh Arya for 15 and Ayush Badoni for 17 halted their momentum. Yash Dhull remained unbeaten on 104 off 104 balls as the match concluded without a result.

Dahiya calls for professional accountability

Following the draw, Delhi coach Vijay Dahiya expressed significant frustration regarding the team's inability to capitalize on favorable positions. He noted that the side has struggled to dictate terms throughout the season, despite having opportunities to secure victories in both of their home matches. Dahiya emphasized that the team’s failure to control sessions has prevented them from gaining the necessary points to remain competitive in the tournament.

Addressing the squad's performance, Dahiya highlighted the need for players to take personal responsibility for their contributions. He pointed out that the current system has provided consistent backing to the players, even following previous defeats, and argued that a higher level of professionalism is required to turn the team's fortunes around. According to the coach, individual accountability is the missing element in Delhi’s current red-ball setup.

Persistent struggles in the field and with the ball

The recent draw highlights a recurring pattern of underperformance for the Delhi side. Throughout the campaign, the team has struggled to maintain pressure on their opponents, with the bowling unit failing to dismiss opposition lineups even after the batters have posted substantial totals. Furthermore, fielding lapses, such as dropped catches during the match against Bengal, have compounded the team's difficulties.

As the Ranji Trophy season progresses, the pressure remains on the squad to rectify these issues. With the first leg now complete, the team faces a challenging road ahead if they are to improve their standing in the tournament.