Himmat replaces Dhull as Delhi captain after big defeat to Puducherry

Delhi have removed Yash Dhull as their captain, the update coming not long after they suffered a heavy - and shock - defeat to Puducherry in their opening Ranji Trophy 2023-24 match at home at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

Himmat Singh will now lead the side that takes on Jammu and Kashmir in an away game from January 12.

"Yash is a talented player but is out of form. We wanted him to do well as a batter, that 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," Delhi and District Cricket Association joint secretary Rajan Manchanda told PTI after Puducherry bowled Delhi out for 148 and 145 on their way to a nine-wicket win. Dhull scored 2 and 23 in the match.

Dhull, captain of India's Under-19 World Cup-winning team in 2022, was made the state team captain in December 2022 and scored a century on captaincy debut. Since making his first-class debut in February 2022, Dhull has made 1185 runs at an average of 43.88 in 17 matches. But he averaged just 27 in the last Ranji Trophy season.

Himmat, six years older than Dhull at 27, had led Delhi to a win over Mumbai in Dhull's absence last season. In 22 first-class games, Himmat has scored 1174 runs at an average of 39.13, and averaged 45.25 last season.

Navdeep Saini, who was named in the India A squad to face the visiting England Lions, and Ishant Sharma, both senior Delhi quicks, won't be travelling with the team to Jammu for their next fixture. It has been learnt that veteran pacer Ishant will only be available for Delhi's home games.

Delhi, who have won the Ranji Trophy seven times, last lifted the trophy back in 2007-08.