(Source X)
The Delhi Premier League has been a tumultuous experience for Yash Dhull this season. Initially leading the Central Delhi Kings as captain, Dhull later relinquished the role to Jonty Sidhu. He has since been used as an Impact Player, shifted his batting position, and even sat out the team’s fifth T20 fixture.
In five innings, the former India U-19 and Delhi captain has managed only 93 runs, with an average below 20 and a strike rate of 113.41. Commentators have frequently noted his lack of form, suggesting that he seems off his game. Following another average performance on Tuesday, Dhull acknowledged that he is still recovering but chose not to elaborate further.
“Kuch cheeze hui hai past mai… mai recover karke aaya hu. Thoda time lag raha hai but mai positive hu aur apne game ke liye 100% duga (certain things have happened in the past, and I have returned after a recovery. It’s taking time but I am positive and will give 100% for my game),” Dhull had said after the afternoon fixture vs East Delhi Riders where he was dismissed for 8 off 11 balls.
The past few months have been challenging for the 21-year-old, who had to undergo heart surgery following advice from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) medical team. While attending a camp in Bengaluru, routine checks revealed an anomaly in Dhull’s heart.
The diagnosis showed a hole that necessitated surgery, which he subsequently had in Delhi. Throughout this period, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) closely monitored Dhull’s condition and maintained regular contact throughout his recovery.
“During the NCA check-up, the team, after consulting with the set of doctors, advised him to undergo surgery for the hole in his heart. He was attending a camp with the rest of the emerging players a couple of months back in Bengaluru,” says Dhull’s childhood coach Pradeep Kochar.
Dhull’s father, Vijay, explained that the condition was congenital, and Yash underwent surgery to correct the issue.
“It wasn’t anything serious. The hole in the heart was a condition from birth and the NCA team advised a minor surgical procedure. He underwent that in Delhi only and the BCCI continued to keep a check on him during the period,” says Dhull’s father.
The young talent, who has been on the national selectors’ radar, is improving steadily. His coach believes that he will be able to handle the demands of longer formats with no issues moving forward. With the NCA already issuing a fit-to-play certificate, Kochar is confident that it’s only a matter of time before he returns to his previous form.
“The NCA has given him the certificate of fitness, so there shouldn’t be an issue in any of the formats going forward. During the DPL, he took a rest from one of the games because the humidity was very high. Even going forward, there shouldn’t be any problem for him to play the Ranji Trophy and the longer formats,” says Kochar.
Dhull’s DPL team is well-informed about his condition, and a member of the support staff has expressed satisfaction with his efforts. Despite experiencing both cricketing and fitness challenges, Dhull’s determination has garnered admiration from those in the dugout.
“There have been ups and downs with regard to cricket and fitness but he has put on a brave-hearted show. Most support staff joined the team after the player draft but now they are aware about his condition,” says a member of the Central Delhi support staff.
“It will take some time but he is taking the steps in the right direction. There have been occasions where he has been moody, and understandably so, but all in all, he has been very focused on returning to old ways. So there shouldn’t be a major roadblock there,” adds the member of support staff.
