Mentality needs to change to play the longer format, says Delhi coach Dahiya

File photo: Vijay Dahiya has had multiple coaching stints since last leading Delhi to the Ranji Trophy title in 2007-08. | Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI

At a time when success in the Ranji Trophy — India’s premier First Class competition — is more democratic than ever before, Delhi has found itself behind the curve. It is rather damning that the northern outfit, which has won seven Ranji titles, has failed to get past the group stage in each of the last seven seasons. While it did finish runner-up in 2017-18, the last time that the domestic giant hoisted the grand prize was way back in the 2007-08 campaign.

It came under the guidance of Vijay Dahiya, who was in his first season as coach after retiring from the game in 2006. Having had multiple stints since then, the 53-year-old, a feisty wicketkeeper-batter during his playing days, has been given charge again.

“It’s a great opportunity to be back coaching Delhi. I have loved working here. It’s the kind of talent that I see here. If they play together, they have the potential to do really well,” Dahiya told Sportstar after his appointment on Friday.

The former India stumper feels his biggest challenge will be in the longer version. Never mind that Delhi hasn’t won a white-ball tournament either since lifting the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2017-18. 

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“Red-ball cricket has been a challenge. There’s no denying it. The gap between good teams and the rest is more visible in this format. It takes a little bit of time to build, but we have the ingredients,” he observed.

According to Dahiya, it is important that the players are made aware of Delhi’s proud history. “I will try and remind them of the team that they play for. We have a history. We need to change a little bit of the mentality to play this format,” he said.

Can Dahiya’s memories of the Ranji-winning 2007-08 season spur the current bunch? 

“It was a long time ago. Personally, there is something, but that doesn’t connect with this lot,” was his matter-of-fact response. “They have to make their own memories. They have to make their own history. I will try to be part of that.”

Published on Sep 26, 2026

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